Collaborations to Advance Understanding of Science and Ethics (Phase II)

描述（由申请人提供）：对生物医学研究的支持取决于公众对研究如何进行及其对人类健康至关重要的理解。科学创新的快速步伐带来了新的生物伦理挑战，这些挑战既突出了获取准确科学信息的必要性，也突出了理性公民话语的重要性。“促进对科学和伦理的理解的合作”（CAUSE）第二阶段计划解决了对创新教育资源的需求，这些资源使科学和健康教师能够与学生一起探索研究的伦理含义。长期目标是提高公众对与健康有关的研究进程的认识，并促进对伦理与科学关系的理解。CAUSE的教学材料旨在提高学生对研究发生的社会背景的认识，展示理解科学内容和研究过程的重要性，并促进分析健康科学中伦理问题所需技能的发展。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Support for biomedical research is dependent on public understanding of how research is conducted and its vital importance for human health. The rapid pace of scientific innovation has resulted in new bioethical challenges that highlight both the need for access to accurate scientific information as well as the importance of rational civic discourse. The 'Collaborations to Advance the Understanding of Science and Ethics' (CAUSE) Phase II program addresses an unmet need for innovative educational resources that prepare science and health teachers to explore the ethical implications of research with their students. The long-term goals are to increase public awareness of the processes of health-related research, and to foster understanding of the relationship of ethics to science. CAUSE teaching materials are designed to increase student awareness of the social contexts in which research occurs, demonstrate the importance of understanding science content and the process of research, and promote the development of skills required to analyze ethical issues in the health sciences. This Phase II grant supports the transition to self-sustaining status and national dissemination of the expertise and materials developed in Phase I. The CAUSE products, an Ethics Primer and 3 curriculum units (HIV Vaccine Clinical Trials, Stem Cell Research, and Genetic Testing), will be disseminated through two major methods. First, an online course for educators will be developed in collaboration with the University of Washington Distance Learning Department. Once created, pilot-tested and revised this course will become self-sustaining and available to all US teachers. Second, CAUSE will offer educator professional development in various workshops/institutes, to insure that teachers will use the program resources as well as train their colleagues in utilizing the materials. Our dissemination will capitalize on the investment made in Phase I, effectively leveraging the work already completed. Educational use of the CAUSE program products will assist in the preparation of citizens who can analyze the ethical and scientific dimensions of future policy decisions about research-related issues as well as their own health choices.