BAMF Health is partnering with Ferris State University and Kent ISD to give 16 rising high school seniors hands-on experience and college credit. The inaugural FutureSolve initiative is a 6-week program where seniors interested in STEM gain real-world exposure to science, engineering, and technology. All students who complete the program receive three course credits to be used at any Michigan college or university.
The program aims to immerse students in real-world experiences and challenges them to use design-thinking principles to solve problems. Leaders at BAMF Health brainstormed ten projects for students to work on over the six weeks. This exposes students to an exciting and innovative company in their community and allows them to work within their field of interest to make a real impact. Each day, students spend the first half of the day at BAMF Health and the second half at Kendall College of Art and Design.
“The power of public-private partnership is alive and well in Grand Rapids, and FutureSolve is a great example,” said Andy McLean, Program Development Manager for BAMF Health. “We know that to continue to change the future of healthcare, students must be exposed to career options now to prepare them for the high-demand jobs of tomorrow.”
Participating students come from East Kentwood, Grand Rapids Public, and East Grand Rapids school districts. They were either encouraged to enter the program or selected by their school leaders. These students have expressed an interest in STEM topics, desire to learn more, and want to explore career options. Because many of these students must forfeit a summer job to participate, each one is given a stipend in honor of their commitment to education.
“FutureSolve is an exciting opportunity for collaboration between K-12 education, higher education, and local business that will provide high school students with invaluable experience and exposure to the real world of work in a new way,” said Sue Gardner, Kent ISD Assistant Superintendent of Career and Talent Development.
During students’ time at KCAD, they will learn more about design-thinking principles and collaborate to solve the business problems proposed by BAMF Health.
“BAMF Health’s transformative methodology underscores how design thinking can drive meaningful change across multidisciplinary fields like medicine,” said Tara McCrackin, President of Kendall College of Art and Design of Ferris State University. “This is a fantastic partnership, and I know it will inspire students to look at new ways to collaborate and develop impactful solutions to challenges.”
The FutureSolve initiative is also representative of the strategic partnership forged between BAMF Health and Ferris State University in early 2024. Both institutions pledged to support the growing Theranostics field in Michigan by developing the next-generation workforce to live and work in their home state. FutureSolve will be the first of many opportunities to develop and train high school and higher ed students across the state.
