Breaking Barriers: Health Science Education in Native American Communities

内布拉斯加大学医学中心（UNMC）将与阿伯丁地区部落主席的健康合作 董事会（AATCHB），与内布拉斯加州和南达科他州的部落学校，并与城市小学， 开发，实施和评估健康科学课程，目标是美国土著学生的K-8年级。 该项目的长期目标是促进学生对健康科学的兴趣，培养 更多的科学素养的公众，并最终增加美国原住民进入 健康职业。该项目的关键是开发健康科学教育模块， 为教师提供适合其年龄的动手活动和课堂使用的材料。进一步 为了激发学生的兴趣，课程将调整教材，以提供文化榜样。教师将 参与模块的开发，并在夏季讲习班期间接受使用培训。 远程学习活动、基于网络的公告板和项目人员的访问将提供持续的 教师的专业发展。学生参与将通过夏季科学扩大 在当地设置营地。学生和教师所做的工作将在年度健康博览会上展示 在每个部落地区举行法会在课堂之外接触家长和社区至关重要 这个项目的成功。社区教育计划将旨在促进健康和 增加对临床试验过程的了解。专业评估将在所有阶段进行， 主要重点是评估教育和社区影响。研究 技术将包括基线和后措施的态度和主题内容，参与者的评价 问卷调查和学生回顾性预测试。促进美国原住民的健康 社区是这个项目各个方面的最终目标。改善健康科学教学， 健康职业意识的提高将鼓励学生进入这些职业，并希望带来 他们的技能回到他们的社区。增加健康科学主题知识的公共宣传将 促进更好的个人健康决策，并提高对临床研究益处的认识。

University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) will partner with the Aberdeen Area Tribal Chairmen's Health Board (AATCHB), with tribal schools in Nebraska and South Dakota, and with an urban elementary school to develop, implement and evaluate health science curriculum targeting Native American students grades K-8. The long term goals of this project are to promote student interest in the health sciences, foster a more science literate public, and ultimately to increase the number of Native Americans entering health careers. Key to the project will be the development of health science educational modules which will provide teachers with hands-on, age-appropriate activities and materials for classroom use. To further engage student interest, the curriculum will adapt materials to provide cultural role models. Teachers will have input in the development of the modules and be trained in their use during summer workshops. Distance learning activities, web based bulletin boards and visits by program personnel will provide ongoing professional development for the teachers. Student participation will be expanded through summer science camps in local settings. Work done by students and teachers will be showcased during annual health fairs and Powwows in each tribal region. Reaching beyond the classroom to parents and communities is critical to the success of this project. Community education programs will be designed to promote health and increase understanding of the clinical trials process. Professional evaluations will be made at all stages, with major emphasis being placed on evaluating the educational and community impact. Research techniques will include baseline and post measures of attitudes and subject content, participant evaluation questionnaires, and student retrospective pretests. Advancing the health of Native American communities is the ultimate aim of every aspect of this project. Improved health science teaching and heightened awareness of health careers will encourage students to enter these careers and hopefully bring their skills back to their communities. Public outreach that increases knowledge of health science topics will promote better personal health decisions and create awareness of the benefits of clinical research.