Camp Pharma: A Novel Initiative to Generate a Pipeline of Diverse Student Talents in Pharmaceutical Manufacturing

The Camp Pharma program consists of working with both high school science teachers and students in order to (1) increase their knowledge in pharmaceutical manufacturing, with an emphasis on particulate systems, which constitute most pharmaceutical drug products (e.g., tablets), and (2) to create an interest in the pharmaceutical industry as a career option.During the summer, the high school students attending the program will work with NJIT undergraduate and graduate students to learn basic methodologies and lab protocols related to drug manufacturing.At the same time, Camp Pharma instructors and faculty will lead a selected group of high school (HS) teachers through new training and research applications for implementation in their classrooms.HS teachers will collaborate with Camp Pharma researchers on their own classroom projects.To test their new skills in a controlled environment, they will introduce these new materials to participating students at the Camp.Through the program, both HS teachers and students will gain a better understanding of the importance of pharmaceutical research and manufacturing and the challenges that it involves.Participating HS teachers will also be encouraged to create a network consisting of other teachers attending and NJIT faculty in order to carry their new knowledge, excitement and energy into their own classrooms.NJIT's well-established Center for Pre-College Programs will be instrumental in recruiting HS participants and monitoring the progress of the program.In order to insure diversity, the recruitment of teachers and students from underrepresented groups and local minority high schools will be a priority.