Health-Related Research Experiences for Undergraduates (H-REU) Program

描述(由申请人提供)：为了在当今全球高科技经济中竞争，我们越来越依赖于在STEM领域做好准备的工人和领导者；然而，全国研究表明，拥有必要的科学和数学知识和技能的美国学生太少，无法完全参与当今的经济。在全球人力资本开发竞赛中，我们正在落后。在获得理工科学位的大学人口比例上，美国落后于欧洲和亚洲的16个国家(PCAST，2010)。这项提案寻求资金支持斯克里普斯研究所的本科生健康相关研究体验(H-REU计划)-该计划旨在创造一个充满活力和激励的教育和研究环境，为本科生提供在实验室进行尖端研究的机会，并激励他们选择STEM(科学、技术、工程和数学)职业。该计划的具体目标与NHLBI增加健康相关研究多样性的短期研究教育计划(R25)公告中阐明的目标平行。我们寻求：(1)与针对代表性不足和服务不足的学生的学校和组织发展伙伴关系；(2)增加考虑在生物医学研究领域从事职业的学生数量；(2)在尖端健康相关实验室提供研究机会，并与世界知名科学家提供指导机会；以及(3)提高实习生在实验室环境中交流科学概念的熟练程度和舒适度。H-REU计划为参与者提供了一个将动手实验室研究与专业技能发展和指导相结合的学术结构。该计划包括为期十周的丰富的夏季研究经验，以及与斯克里普斯研究学院和科学家的指导。每个主要的计划组成部分、课程和专业发展研讨会以及研究经验都由几个元素组成，这些元素协同工作，为提高实习生的批判性思维技能、科学准备、知识库和研究专长提供了一种循序渐进的脚手架方法。通过提供这种经验，我们希望创建一个支线管道，并鼓励最有才华的学生在生物医学研究领域追求职业生涯；然而，那些没有成为研究人员的人将受益于将学到的观点和磨练的专业技能应用于他们未来的教育努力。鉴于其重要性，STEM扫盲必须成为所有学生教育基础的一部分，无论他们未来的教育努力如何。(摘要结束)

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): To compete in today's global, high-tech economy, we are becoming more dependent on workers and leaders prepared in STEM fields; however, national studies indicate that too few American students have the requisite knowledge and skills in science and mathematics to participate fully in today's economy. We are falling behind in the global race for human capital development. The United States trails sixteen countries in Europe and Asia in the proportion of each country's college population who earn degrees in science and engineering (PCAST, 2010). This proposal seeks funding to support The Scripps Research Institute's Health-Related Research Experiences for Undergraduates (H-REU Program) - a program that creates a dynamic and stimulating educational and research environment, provides undergraduate students with the opportunity to conduct cutting-edge research in a laboratory, and inspires them to choose STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) careers. The specific aims of the program parallel the goals articulated in the NHLBI Short-Term Research Education Program to Increase Diversity in Health-Related Research (R25) announcement. We seek to: (1) develop a partnership with schools and organizations that target underrepresented and underserved students; (2) increase the number of students who consider careers in the biomedical research field; (2) provide research opportunities in cutting-edge health-related laboratories and mentoring opportunities with world-renowned scientists; and (3) increase the interns' proficiency in communicating scientific concepts and comfort level in the laboratory setting. The H-REU Program offers its participants an academic structure that integrates hands-on laboratory research with professional skills development and mentoring. The program consists of a ten-week enriched summer research experience and a mentorship with Scripps Research faculty and scientists. Each of the major program components, curriculum and professional development workshops and research experiences is made up of several elements that work together and provide a stepwise, scaffolding approach to improving interns' critical thinking skills, scientific preparation, knowledge base, and research expertise. By providing this experience, we hope to create a feeder pipeline and encourage the most talented students to pursue careers in biomedical research; however, those who do not become researchers will benefit by applying learned perspectives and honed professional skills to their future educational endeavors. Given its importance, STEM literacy must be a part of the educational foundation of all students no matter their future educational endeavors. (End of Abstract)