May 21, 2025

Each program at the Museum of Life and Science relies on the collaboration of many minds and hands, and sometimes those programs require external funding to reach deeper into our community! Here’s a look at two programs powered by our partners at BioCryst Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Teen Science Café

This February, thanks to the generous sponsorship of BioCryst Pharmaceuticals, Inc., we launched our Teen Science Café programming at the Museum with exciting success!

Our first two cafe events have already reached over 60 students who had the chance to connect with STEM professionals in our community. In February, we heard from Dr. Jamilläh Rodriguez, who shared her expertise on Artificial Intelligence and how large language models use data to deliver responses. In March, we took a deep dive into the way our brain develops, and how substance use can impact the various areas of our brains from UNC neuroscientists Dr. Elena Vidrascu and Maria Fernanda.

With guidance from the Museum’s Teen Advisory Board, we can’t wait to invite students back for another Teen Science Café on May 21, where we will get a chance for an up-close appreciation of one of nature’s most important pollinators. With the generous contributions from BioCryst Pharmaceuticals, we hope that these Cafés will expand perspectives on what careers in STEM can be, and encourage lifelong connections to science!

Andrea T., Associate Program Manager for Community Engagement

Sparks After School Program

The Sparks Afterschool Program is now in its fourth amazing year! This unique partnership between the Encore Afterschool Program at Brogden Middle School, BioCryst Pharmaceuticals, and the Museum of Life and Science brings hands-on science and real-world connections to 6th–8th grade students every week.

Thanks to the generous support of BioCryst, who has an office in RTP, a few volunteers join us each week — either at the Museum or at Brogden — for curiosity-sparking activities with the students. Many of these volunteers return throughout the year, which means they don’t just do cool science, but build meaningful relationships with the kids, too.

One of our dedicated returning volunteers is Amy, a Senior Clinical Scientist, now in her second year with Sparks. This special partnership began in 2021 and continues to thrive, giving students the opportunity to explore exhibits and dive into Community Science topics most Wednesdays at the Museum.

Amy shared that she likes “coming and being part of kids having an opportunity to see STEM activities and how it’s incorporated in their lives and impact in the community.” That’s exactly one of our goals!

When we asked Amy about her favorite Sparks moment, she smiled and said it was watching students build sail cars and then seeing “that moment when they get it — their faces light up when their sails catch the wind and their cars speed across the finish line.”

We’re so grateful to BioCryst for making these powerful moments possible — for helping us spark wonder, build relationships, and inspire the next generation of change-makers.

Isabella L., Associate Program Manager for School Programming