STEM at AstraZeneca
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As a global, science-led biopharmaceutical company, we are committed to using our reach, scale and expertise to effect real change in our communities and societies. We believe providing students with access to science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) engagement opportunities will inspire and motivate the next generation to solve tomorrow’s challenges.
To strive to make STEM accessible to all worldwide, our global programme, STEM at AstraZeneca, supports inclusive and equitable engagement initiatives that encourage students to explore their interests and introduce them to potential career paths in STEM.
I gained so much invaluable knowledge regarding different fields of science, professional tools and methods, career journeys, college advice and so much more. Thank you for your dedication in supporting students as we begin our own STEM journeys!
Our approach to STEM learning initiatives
STEM at AstraZeneca is driven by three key strategic principles based on our commitment to making STEM engagement opportunities accessible to all.
Local empowerment
Actively supporting initiatives and partnerships that make a direct, positive impact within the communities we serve
Employee engagement
Cultivating a great place to work by offering employees rewarding opportunities to interact with students through hands-on engagement and mentorship activities
Global inspiration
Supporting and inspiring students to pursue careers in STEM by offering STEM engagement resources
A message from our STEM champions
We asked some of our female leaders and students who participate in our STEM programmes to share their experiences and how it influenced them. Hear their thoughts on the power of STEM as women and girls.
Our local programming
We tailor our STEM programme to reflect the needs of our local communities, providing a range of education, engagement and mentorship activities that equip students with knowledge, tools and opportunities to shape science in the future. Click on the arrows below to learn more about our local activities in each region.
United States
Learning Undefeated
One of our premier partnerships in the US is with Learning Undefeated, a nonprofit organisation bringing experiential and deep impact STEM learning to K-12 students in all communities. Their Drop Anywhere Labs, deployed at numerous schools across the region, bring state-of-the-art technology and rich, immersive learning experiences directly to schools. Their Emerging Leaders in STEM programme introduces high school and college students to high-demand STEM careers through biotech lab skills, networking and mentorship.
Montgomery County Public Schools’ Summer RISE
We also collaborate with Montgomery County Public Schools’ Summer R.I.S.E, an initiative for rising junior and senior high school students to participate in hands-on, career-based learning opportunities on the Gaithersburg AstraZeneca campus during the summer, showcasing some of the many STEM careers available.
Junior Achievement Finance Park
With our support for Junior Achievement Finance Park, students learn the important principles of financial literacy like saving, investing and budgeting using our volunteers’ experience, expertise and guidance so that they are inspired and prepared when the time comes to work.
United Kingdom
The Royal Institution
To broaden the geographic reach of our STEM at AstraZeneca programme in the UK, we have partnered with The Royal Institution (Ri), providing grant funding for a new Science in Schools show called Super Cells. This exciting addition is available as part of the Ri Science in Schools programme. We have further supported the Science in Schools programme by providing grants to 100 schools, enabling them to access the show through the Ri Science in Schools grant scheme.
Active Science Programme
Our partnerships with football club foundations in Cambridge, Macclesfield and Everton deliver our Active Science Programme with the help of our STEM volunteers. By collaborating with local schools in disadvantaged areas, we engage the next generation by linking sport with science to encourage students to view STEM as a pathway they can confidently pursue. The Active Science curriculum enables students to explore concepts like the human circulatory system by monitoring their heart rates with oximeters and investigate the physics of forces using resistance parachutes. A particular highlight for students in Cambridge is the annual end of term celebration – Active Science Day – hosted at one of our partner’s football grounds. The fun-packed event includes thought provoking science-based activities, a tour of the stadium and a unique opportunity to connect with the players and with our STEM volunteers.
Cambridge Festival & Big Biology Day
We are longstanding sponsors of the Cambridge Festival, a mixture of online, on-demand and in-person events organised by the University of Cambridge. This annual event provides the opportunity to ignite the curiosity of the scientists of tomorrow through hands-on ‘Medicine Maker’ sessions, insightful career discussions and guided tours to our flagship R&D facility, The Discovery Centre, to see our science in action. We also support the annual Big Biology Day, a celebration of biology where we showcase careers in the industry and engage with visitors through interactive STEM activities.
Sweden
Boost4Life and Mentor Sweden
STEM at AstraZeneca runs Boost4Life — a programme that connects Mentor Sweden with our employee volunteers to mentor students about STEM careers. Students also can visit our facilities and meet with other STEM partners to build confidence in natural science subjects.
Summer Research School and Unga Forskare
As a core tenant of our work in Sweden, we organise an annual Summer Research School together with the association Unga Forskare for students aged 14-16. The programme serves to inspire long-term interest and curiosity in science, foster a sense of community, ignite excitement about the subject, provide perspective on the importance of science in society, create a bridge between school and professional life and introduce students to young role models within our company that are making an impact in the field.
International Science Festival
We also sponsor and participate in one of Europe’s leading popular science events, the International Science Festival where students, teachers and the community present science in creative and unexpected ways to encourage curiosity and positive attitudes towards research and STEM.
Veeva ID: Z4-72530
Date of preparation: July 2025