New Lab Aims to Fill CT's STEM Gap, Inspire Future Scientists

RIDGEFIELD, Conn. – March 26, 2026 – In a significant move to bolster Connecticut's scientific future, Boehringer Ingelheim and the Connecticut Science Center announced today the launch of a new Innovation Lab. The dedicated learning center, presented by the global biopharmaceutical company, aims to create a direct pipeline from the classroom to careers in the state's burgeoning life sciences sector.

The facility, housed within the Connecticut Science Center in Hartford, will officially open its doors tomorrow, March 27, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. The launch is timed to coincide with the Center's STEM Career Showcase, an event set to welcome over 500 middle and high school students from across the state, giving them a firsthand look at their potential future.

A Strategic Investment in Connecticut's Future

While the lab represents a major community investment, it is also a strategic response to a critical state need. Connecticut is currently grappling with a significant workforce shortage, with reports indicating more than 60,000 unfilled jobs, largely due to a gap between industry demands and available skills. The state's bioscience industry, a vital economic engine contributing over $7 billion to the GDP, is particularly in need of a robust talent pipeline. After a period of decline, the sector has seen a resurgence, adding over 4,000 jobs between 2017 and 2022, with research and development roles now accounting for the largest share of its employment.

The new Innovation Lab is designed to address this gap head-on. "At Boehringer, we think in generations. Investing in STEM education means investing in the future generation of innovators, creators and scientists," said Jean‑Michel Boers, President and CEO of Boehringer Ingelheim USA. "Connecticut has been our home for decades, and we remain committed to strengthening the state's STEM ecosystem and the broader scientific community."

This sentiment is echoed by the Science Center's leadership, who see the collaboration as essential for the state's long-term prosperity. "Connecticut's future depends on the curiosity and creativity of the next generation of scientists, engineers, and innovators," said Matt Fleury, President & CEO of the Connecticut Science Center. "This will expand access to STEM learning and help inspire young people across Connecticut to imagine themselves shaping the future of science."

From Classroom to Career: Inside the Innovation Lab

The Innovation Lab's mission is to demystify the path to a scientific career by making complex concepts tangible. The curriculum will focus specifically on career pathways in human health, biology, and pharmaceutical sciences, directly aligning with the expertise of its corporate partner. Through hands-on learning experiences and interactive workshops, the space will demonstrate how fundamental scientific discoveries in a lab ultimately translate into the life-saving medicines that transform patient lives.

This approach builds on the Connecticut Science Center's established record of educational impact. The nonprofit organization has a proven history of engaging students across the state, serving over 64,000 school children in 2024 alone and reaching every city and town in Connecticut. Schools that have entered into long-term partnerships with the Center have reported measurable gains in student achievement, including an average 13% increase in standardized science test scores.

By integrating Boehringer Ingelheim's industry expertise into the Science Center's effective pedagogical model, the lab aims to do more than just teach science; it aims to build science identity. For the hundreds of students attending the launch event, the goal is for them to see a clear and accessible path for themselves in a field that can often seem intimidating or abstract.

A Statewide Effort to Bridge the Skills Gap

The launch of the Innovation Lab is not happening in a vacuum. It aligns with a broader, coordinated effort at the state level to cultivate a workforce prepared for the jobs of today and tomorrow. The presence of Connecticut's Chief Workforce Officer, Kelli-Marie Vallieres, Ph.D., as the keynote speaker at the ribbon-cutting ceremony underscores the initiative's importance to the state's economic strategy.

Dr. Vallieres, who leads the state's Office of Workforce Strategy (OWS), has been a vocal proponent of demand-driven training and forging strong partnerships between industry and education. With a background as a manufacturing CEO, she brings an industry-focused perspective to her role, championing programs designed to connect skilled talent with employers. Initiatives like the state's $70-million CareerConneCT job training program and the recent push to implement federal Workforce Pell Grants for short-term, career-focused training highlight a clear statewide priority. The Innovation Lab serves as a powerful, real-world example of this strategy in action, creating an early-stage talent funnel for one of Connecticut's most critical sectors.

A Legacy of Local Commitment

For Boehringer Ingelheim, this partnership is the latest chapter in a long history of deep engagement with its home state. The company’s U.S. headquarters and a major research and development center are based in Ridgefield, making Connecticut a cornerstone of its North American operations.

This commitment extends beyond its business footprint. The Boehringer Ingelheim Cares Foundation, established in Connecticut in 2001, has a long-standing mission to enhance math and science education, particularly in underserved communities. The company has fostered numerous educational partnerships, including a collaboration with Southern Connecticut State University (SCSU) since 2021 to enhance STEM opportunities for underrepresented students and build a more diverse talent pipeline. These long-term initiatives demonstrate a sustained dedication to community development that goes beyond one-time donations, reinforcing the "Sustainable Development – For Generations" strategy that guides the global company.

As the doors of the Innovation Lab open, it represents more than just a new exhibit. It symbolizes a forward-thinking collaboration between industry, education, and government, all focused on a shared goal: cultivating the next generation of innovators who will drive Connecticut’s scientific and economic future.