Knight Scholars Program - Building STEM Interest and Capacity for Cancer Research Careers among Underrepresented and Rural High School Students

项目摘要 最近的趋势突出表明，美国目前和发展中的科学劳动力可能不是 充分准备，也不反映学生的多样性需要解决日益复杂和交叉- 生物医学研究的学科性质。正规教育环境之外的科学经验 已被证明支持科学，技术，工程和数学（STEM）的轨迹，通过刺激 学生对科学的兴趣，培养学生对自己能力的信念，使科学具有吸引力， 可供各种学习者使用。然而，对于代表性不足的人来说， 少数民族学生，包括那些由于种族/民族或居住在低收入农村地区而处于不利地位的学生 或边境地区。因此，拟议中的骑士学者计划将提供指导癌症研究 为代表性不足的农村高中学生提供培训经验， 增加STEM机会，同时考虑到社会和地理挑战， 学生可以面对。该计划的预期成果是增强学生的科学认同， 通过接触1）扩大的癌症研究实践经验，2）教师和 社区成员接受培训，以支持在学生的“家庭社区”继续工作，3）正式 有机会以支持其社区癌症相关需求的方式分享经验。 具体来说，拟议中的骑士学者计划将1）增加URM俄勒冈州高中的数量 学生（特别是那些由于种族/民族、农村居民和低收入而处于不利地位的学生）， 参加为期1周、2周和6周的夏季癌症研究扩展实践经验; 2） 通过持续参与STEM，为学生在“家庭社区”提供持续支持 活动，密集的教师专业发展计划，以及与当地OHSU研究的正式联系 联络人; 3）通过整合学生参与与癌症相关的活动， 社区计划，（例如，在当地医院和与非营利组织的外联项目中的影子）。

PROJECT SUMMARY Recent trends highlight that the current and developing scientific workforce in the United States may not be adequately prepared nor reflect the diversity of students needed to tackle the increasingly complex and cross- disciplinary nature of biomedical research. Science experiences outside of the formal schooling environment have been shown to support science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) trajectories by stimulating student interest in science, fostering student beliefs in their abilities, and by making science appealing and accessible to a variety of learners. However, access to such programs is often difficult for underrepresented minority (URM) students, including those disadvantaged due to race/ethnicity or residence in low-income rural or frontier areas. Therefore, the proposed Knight Scholars Program will provide mentored cancer research training experiences for underrepresented and rural high school students in order to increase access to enhanced STEM opportunities in a manner that takes into account the social and geographic challenges these students may face. The intended outcome of the Program is to strengthen students' science identity and resilience through exposure to 1) expanded hands-on cancer research experiences, 2) teachers and community members trained to support continued work in the students' “home community”, and 3) formalized opportunities to share experiences in ways that support their communities' cancer-related needs. Specifically the proposed Knight Scholars Program will 1) increase the number of URM Oregon high school students (specifically those disadvantaged due to race/ethnicity, rural residence and low-income) who participate in expanded hands-on summer cancer research experiences of 1-week, 2-weeks and 6-weeks; 2) develop ongoing support for students in their “home community” through continued engagement in STEM activities, intensive teacher professional development programs, and formal links to local OHSU research liaisons; 3) create a culture of shared experience by integrating student involvement in cancer-related community programs,(e.g., shadowing within local hospitals and outreach projects with non-profits).