Madison College partners on Early College STEM Academy opportunities

Madison College, Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD) and Exact Sciences are joining forces to grow opportunities for students in the Early College STEM Academy, a program that prepares participants for success in college and careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

Through the new partnership, students will gain firsthand insight into the world of biotechnology career paths through interactive experiences with Exact Sciences, including:

• Lab tour: Students will tour Exact Sciences’ Cologuard laboratory in November to see how scientific innovation comes to life. They’ll learn about the roles involved in developing diagnostic tests and hear from team members about their journeys into science and innovation.
• Career exploration: In February, students will dive into the science and strategy behind Exact Sciences’ newest product, Cologuard Plus, as well as explore the wide variety of STEM-related careers at the company and take part in hands-on activities that demonstrate real-world applications of their learning.
• Celebration and reflection: The year will conclude in April with a celebration recognizing students’ achievements and growth. Participants will reflect on what they’ve learned, explore their next steps in STEM, and receive resume and interview tips from the Exact Sciences Talent Team.

“This partnership is about developing the next generation of innovators,” said Katie Boyce, senior director, corporate impact and strategic communications at Exact Sciences. “By showing students what science looks like in action and introducing them to real career paths, we hope to inspire them to see how their passion for STEM can shape their future.”

The Early College STEM Academy offers students the opportunity to earn college credit through Madison College while completing their high school studies. By combining classroom instruction with hands-on experiences like those offered through Exact Sciences, the Academy helps students develop the technical knowledge, professional skills and confidence needed to thrive in science and technology careers.

“The STEM Academy shows the power of collaboration,” said Cindy Green, MMSD assistant superintendent of strategy and innovation. “Our students thrive when schools, higher education and employers work together.”

STEM education teaches students the critical thinking, problem-solving, and innovation skills required in tomorrow’s workforce. In Wisconsin, the demand for STEM and biotech talent is real. According to the University of Wisconsin–Madison, the city consistently has around 300 job openings in the biotechnology sector. Bioscience jobs in Wisconsin report average salaries around $107,000 annually, nearly double the average U.S. income levels, according to UW Online Collaboratives. 

Statewide projections also point toward growth in technical and STEM fields. Wisconsin is expected to add 225,071 new jobs across all sectors (a 7.1% growth rate) between 2022-2031, according to the State of Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development. STEM careers are among the fastest-growing nationally. 

“Madison College is proud to stand alongside MMSD and Exact Sciences,” said Dr. Mark Thomas, Madison College executive vice president of policy and strategy. “Together, we’re building a stronger talent pipeline that will benefit our community and the state of Wisconsin.”

MMSD students enrolled in the Early College STEM Academy are eligible to participate in this opportunity. For more information, please visit the MMSD website.