See Us-Be Us: Inspiring future veterinarians using a Veterinary STEM Ecosystem

项目总结/摘要 兽医科学家劳动力缺乏多样性（91.2%白色）是一个非常严重的问题， 影响了该行业为正在经历巨大人口变化的社会服务的能力。兽医学院 和专业组织已经付出了巨大的努力来招募代表性不足的学生;然而， 大多数努力针对的是高中生，因为在高中阶段，种族和族裔差异已经很明显。 与此同时，由于缺乏相关的榜样，年幼的孩子们正在排除兽医职业。的 该团队的总体愿景是通过发展一个深远的，包容的， 兽医STEM生态系统由美国兽医学院组成（28/30（93%）参与），兽医工作 环境（实践、研究、产业、政府）和社区实体为弱势青年服务。通过 朝着这一重要愿景努力，See Us-Be Us将能够实现2014年NIH医师的目标- 科学家劳动力工作组和2018年国家科学和技术委员会STEM教育 技术理事会。作为实现这一愿景的一步，See Us-Be Us将提供一个支持性的榜样网络 和兽医STEM教育资源，以激励和准备代表性不足的青年追求职业生涯 在兽医学上。这一目标将通过三个具体目标实现。目标1的重点是建立 一支由多样化、具有公平意识的兽医组成的军队，他们将直接为弱势的K-4学生提供服务， 支持兽医角色模型。兽医专业的学生将被认证为提供STEM课程， 兽医学院周围社区的儿童，在学校里，然后毕业后，将被 他们有能力并得到支持，在自己的社区继续这一努力。第二个目标是发展 SuperPower Packs，自我指导的兽医STEM教育体验，其特点是代表性不足 兽医，为缺乏直接支持兽医榜样的弱势儿童提供服务。目标3 开发了一个基于Web的角色模型网络中心和播客，供初中和高中学生学习 关于相关的兽医专业人员，找到具体的职业信息，并利用经验 和指导机会。结合起来，这些目标将增加来自服务不足的学生的机会。 社区，从小学开始，有真正的兽医干的经验，同时被 在不同兽医榜样的支持下，他们通过教育管道前进。基本 学校教师将担任顾问，以确保教育材料符合下一个 代科学标准，并将协助培训榜样，以更好地传达社会影响 他们的工作。该生态系统将继续使用让学生参与STEM活动的成功模式 通过交流兽医医学研究对公共卫生和动物健康挑战的影响。 最终，该项目将教育和促进职业探索和体验式学习的机会， K-12学生，特别是那些来自服务不足的社区，职业生涯作为兽医科学家。

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT The lack of diversity (91.2% White) in the veterinarian-scientist workforce is a very serious concern and impacts the profession’s ability to serve a society undergoing dramatic demographic shifts. Veterinary colleges and professional organizations have put forth significant effort to recruit underrepresented students; however, most efforts target high school students, a time when racial and ethnic disparities are already evident. Meanwhile, young children are ruling out veterinary careers because of a lack of relatable role models. The overall vision of this team is to establish a diverse veterinary workforce by developing a far-reaching, inclusive veterinary STEM ecosystem consisting of US veterinary colleges (28/30 (93%) participating), veterinary work settings (practice, research, industry, government), and community entities serving disadvantaged youth. By working towards this critical vision, See Us-Be Us will be able to meet the goals of the 2014 NIH Physician- Scientist Workforce Working Group and the 2018 Committee on STEM Education of the National Science and Technology Council. As a step toward this vision, See Us-Be Us will provide a supportive role model network and veterinary STEM educational resources to inspire and prepare underrepresented youth to pursue careers in veterinary medicine. This goal will be attained through three specific aims. The focus of Aim 1 is to establish an army of diverse, equity-minded veterinarians who will provide disadvantaged K-4 students direct, supportive veterinary role models. Veterinary medical students will be certified to deliver STEM lessons to children in communities surrounding veterinary colleges, while in school, and then after graduation, will be equipped and supported to continue this effort in their home communities. Aim 2 is focused on developing SuperPower Packs, self-guided veterinary STEM educational experiences that feature underrepresented veterinarians, for disadvantaged children lacking access to direct supportive veterinary role models. Aim 3 develops a Web-based role model networking hub and podcasts, for middle and high school students to learn about relatable veterinary professionals, find specific career information, and take advantage of experiential and mentoring opportunities. Combined, these aims will enhance opportunities for students from underserved communities, beginning in elementary school, to have authentic veterinary STEM experiences while being supported by diverse veterinary role models, as they advance through the educational pipeline. Elementary school teachers will serve as consultants to ensure that educational materials are consistent with Next Generation Science Standards, and will assist in training role models to better communicate the societal impact of their work. The ecosystem will continue to use the successful model of engaging students in STEM activities by communicating the impact of veterinary medical research on public health and animal health challenges. Ultimately, this project will educate and facilitate career exploration and experiential learning opportunities for K-12 students, particularly those from underserved communities, to careers as veterinary scientists.