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Welcome to Pfizer School of Science, a program designed to inspire the next generation of scientists at an early age

As a company founded in New York City, we’re thrilled to invite NYC middle school students to our headquarters in Hudson Yards to learn about the life sciences and Pfizer. Registered students will participate in a half-day field trip at our office for a hands-on, science-based learning experience where they will be exposed to a multi-national company, meet colleagues, and learn about what we do. The visit will also include a 60-minute instructional course on topics like Drug Discovery, Microbiology, Immunology and more. 

At Pfizer, discovery is at the heart of everything we do

For more than 170 years, we’ve made it our mission to advance science and make life-changing progress to help people live longer, healthier lives. Our vision is to awaken students to the endless possibilities a career in the life sciences can achieve, and reinforce Pfizer’s commitment to NYC and science education. Through Pfizer School of Science, we’re making it happen!

Science Course Options

Pfizer School of Science currently offers the following courses that your students can explore during their field trip:

  • ai in health care logo

    Students are introduced to artificial intelligence (AI) and its applications in healthcare. Students play games to learn about the different subsets of AI (e.g., machine learning, robotics, generative AI) and how AI works at a basic level. Students then explore the potential advantages and disadvantages of using AI technology in healthcare and other applications.

  • Central Dogma

    Students are introduced to DNA and its role in determining our traits by participating in exercises that illustrate the relationship between genotype and phenotype. During the course students extract DNA from strawberries, explore their unique traits, and learn how human health is influenced by genetics.

  • Drug Discovery

    Students learn about drug discovery, development, and the various career opportunities involved in bringing biomedical innovations from concept to market. Students then play a board game where they run their own pharmaceutical company and encounter some of the same challenges and successes that researchers face as their drug moves along the drug development pipeline. Once their drug is approved, students learn about the manufacturing and quality control processes by making sugar pills that represent their final drug product.

  • Immunology

    Students train as immunologists by participating in mini games to learn about innate and adaptive immunity. Students then try to diagnose patients by matching their symptoms to those of an infectious disease. After hypothesizing their diagnosis, they analytically verify their hypothesis by running a mock ELISA test. Once a diagnosis is made, students practice their bedside manner to deliver the diagnosis to their patient and provide a treatment plan.

  • Microbiology

    Students are introduced to the world of microorganisms and their habitats with a focus on infectious bacteria. After an introduction to microscopy, students use their new skills to investigate various microorganisms under the microscope and learn how to culture bacteria just like a microbiologist would in the laboratory.

  • Tools of the Trade

    Students explore and practice some of the basic skills scientists need to be successful in the laboratory. During the course, students are introduced to lab safety, learn how to use a micropipette (a method used to measure and transfer very small amounts of liquids), and practice running a gel electrophoresis (a tool used to separate mixtures of proteins or DNA for genetic and forensic investigations).

  • school of science vaccines logo

    Through a series of mini-games and challenges, students learn about the history of vaccines, the different types of vaccines and how they work, and how vaccines protect communities against viral and bacterial epidemics.

Ready to join us in New York City? Or have questions?

Teachers and educators can enroll their students in Pfizer School of Science in New York City by filling out this inquiry form.

If you have questions or want more information, please contact us at [email protected].