New Paths for Biomedical Informatics: A Mini-Symposium for High School Scholars

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Project Summary The field of biomedical informatics continues to face an urgent need to expand the pipeline of talented students to meet the increased demand for biomedical informatics and health data science expertise and to improve diversity in the field. Nationally, there is increased awareness of the need to encourage future generations to consider careers in STEM-C (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics, including Computing). Exposure to biomedical informatics, in contrast to other STEM-C related disciplines, generally occurs much later in training. The previous funding period was successful in engaging 76 high school students from across the United States. The indirect positive impacts of this program have resulted in a growth of biomedical informatics programs across the United States that connect to high school students through summer internship experiences, curriculum partnerships with high schools, and other outreach efforts. The long-term goal of this project remains to develop a sustainable national forum for showcasing biomedical informatics research projects led by high school scholars. To this end, this conference grant aims to: (1) Enhance the now-established AMIA High School Scholars Program to amplify learning experiences about the field, disseminate knowledge gained in research experiences, and interact with peers from other institutions; (2) Increase knowledge, mentoring, and engagement opportunities for high school scholars by creating multi-tiered mentoring; and (3) Engage the biomedical informatics community to develop extensions of biomedical informatics education and research opportunities at the high school level. The success of this initiative will continue to provide unique opportunities for high school students who may enter STEM-C career paths and further development a national pipeline of talent to meet the growing needs of biomedical informatics and data science across the United States.