Memphis Bioworks Foundation-Sponsored Charter School Adding Sixth Grade

MEMPHIS, Tennessee, July 12, 2006 - The Memphis City School Board of Commissioners has approved a request to allow the Memphis Academy of Science and Engineering (MASE) to expand its curriculum by adding another grade to Tennessee’s first charter school. Memphis’ leading academic middle and high school will begin developing curriculum for new sixth grade students who will attend this fall.

The Memphis Bioworks Foundation co-founded MASE with the belief that education is vital to developing a thriving bioscience industry in Memphis. Establishing a proficient bioscience workforce requires broad community solutions, including new initiatives such as educational programming and outreach. MASE was established in order to prepare the city’s workforce for future careers that demand a strong background in science and math.

MASE, which specializes in teaching the sciences, has plans to develop a sixth grade curriculum with a central focus on technical social science. At MASE, sixth graders will study English, spelling, history and math, but will have a greater opportunity to explore, discover, and become empowered by science. MASE students currently boast some of the highest test scores in the region and outperform students throughout Shelby County in all subjects at their grade level.

MASE Principal Tommie Henderson is excited about the change. “With the addition of the new sixth grade curriculum, students at MASE will become more proficient in test taking at an earlier age. This will allow them to progress

enough for a more highly developed and technologically advanced curriculum in high school,” said Henderson.

“The students at MASE prove that – given the right environment and level of support –our schools can excel at producing educated, qualified workers who are proficient in math and science,” said Dr. Steven J. Bares, executive director and president of the Memphis Bioworks Foundation and co-founder of MASE. “These students will provide a strong foundation for bringing more bioscience companies into our community.”

MASE’s mission is to mold productive members of the global community by focusing on state and national standards, strong industrial partnerships, numerous research opportunities, continuous technological improvements and a staff committed to social awareness, excellence, and personal responsibility. Students attending MASE are students who were failing to make adequate yearly progress as determined by the Tennessee’s accountability standards or those considered in an at-risk situation by the Charter School Act of 2002.

Enrollment for MASE is free and includes students in the sixth through tenth grades. To enroll your child for the 2006-2007 academic school year or for more information, visit www.memphisscienceacademy.org.