"TRY-IT" Translating Research to Youth through Information Technology

描述(由申请者提供)：这个名为“Try-IT”(通过信息技术将研究转化为青年)的科学教育(SEPA)项目由肯塔基大学与探索科学博物馆联合提交，目的是增加少数族裔和代表性不足的学生对生物医学科学事业的了解和参与，以及对临床研究试验的兴趣。该项目解决了贫困中学和少数族裔青年了解生物医学研究和临床试验职业的有限机会，因为进入生物医学科学并继续接受研究生教育的少数族裔学生人数很少。这个项目的重点是帮助学生应用技术更好地理解生物医学科学。这种新颖的方法使用交互式3-D可视化作为“钩子”或“参与点”，这样中学生就可以进步，学习更多关于生物医学科学、技术和人类健康的知识。这是第一阶段开发和第二阶段传播应用相结合的应用程序。在第一阶段，中学生、他们的老师、学校辅导员和家长将参加一个为期两年、全年的科学丰富计划，以增加参与计划的学生考虑从事生物医学科学的可能性。项目团队将与探索科学博物馆合作，制作涉及互动3-D模型的巡回展品。在第二阶段，学生/教师/研究人员项目团队开发的课程和展品将分发给肯塔基州的所有中学生，并在网上提供。具体项目旨在：(1)提高11至15岁少数族裔和代表性不足中学生对生物医学、临床试验和技术科学应用的兴趣和知识；(2)扩大为少数族裔和代表性不足中学生服务的中学教师和辅导员的生物医学、技术技能和生物医学职业知识；(3)评估学生对生物医学的兴趣、知识、技能和职业道路的变化；以及(4)设计和分发“Try-IT”课程，其中包括为K-12学生提供的技术丰富的展示。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): This Science Education (SEPA) project called "TRY-IT" (Translating Research to Youth through Information Technology) is submitted by the University of Kentucky with the Explorium Science Museum to increase minority and underrepresented student knowledge and participation in biomedical science careers as well as interest in clinical research trials. The project addresses the limited opportunities for disadvantaged middle school and minority youth to learn about careers in biomedical research and clinical trials because the number of underrepresented minority students who enter biomedical sciences and go on to pursue graduate education is very small. This project focuses on helping students apply technology to better understand biomedical science. This novel approach uses interactive 3-D visualization as a "hook" or an "engagement point" so middle school students can progress to learn more about biomedical science, technology, and human health. This is a combined Phase I development and a Phase II dissemination application. During Phase I, middle school students, their teachers, school counselors, and parents will participate in a two-year, year round science-enrichment program to increase the likelihood that participating students will consider careers in biomedical sciences. Project teams will work with the Explorium Science Museum to create traveling exhibits involving interactive 3-D models. During Phase II, the curriculum and the exhibits that are developed by the student/teacher/researcher project teams will be disseminated to all middle school students in Kentucky and made available online. The specific project aims are to: (1) Increase the interest and knowledge of minority and underrepresented middle school students ages 11 to 15 in biomedical science, clinical trials and scientific uses of technology; (2) Expand the biomedical science, technology skills, and biomedical science career knowledge of middle school teachers and counselors serving minority and underrepresented students; (3) Evaluate changes in student interest, knowledge, skills and changes in career paths in biomedical science; and (4) Design and distribute the "TRY-IT" curriculum which includes a technology-rich exhibit for K-12 students.