MENTORS Project: Models of Educational Networking To Optimize Rural Science

描述（由申请人提供）：该申请涉及广泛的挑战领域（12）科学，技术，工程和数学（STEM）教育，以及具体的挑战主题12- ca -104：在新兴技术中发展劳动力。拟议的mentor（优化农村科学的模范教育网络）项目的目标直接响应了该领域和主题的既定目标，因为mentor的目标是：“在新兴和先进技术领域为服务不足的学生和研究人员创造一条管道；”“增加来自弱势群体的科学家的数量”，并“通过增加对少数族裔和弱势学生的培训和教育机会”来“加强癌症研究”，以“增强未来研究人员的多样性”。目前，从事生物医学研究、技术开发和医疗保健服务的学生人数不足。来自不同民族、种族和经济背景的学生进入这些领域的缺乏尤其令人担忧。专家报告说，学生对这些职业的兴趣减弱，至少在一定程度上是由于缺乏对科学和医学职业的理解，以及对回报和所需才能的误解。人们普遍认为，为了有效地解决科学领域缺乏多样性的问题，教育和招聘计划不能从大学层面开始，也不能只关注学生。解决这一迫切需求的方案不能忽视中学教育经历的影响。早期与热情从事基础、转化和临床癌症研究的科学家进行积极的互动，可以对学生的职业选择产生重要而持久的影响。相反，无趣的内容和/或糟糕的高中教学可能对未来的选择非常不利。因此，我们对这一挑战的回应采用了一种更全面的方法，包括对来自不同背景的高中生进行现场研究体验，以及与课堂教师合作，以提高对研究和技术机会的认识，并提高基于探究的课堂教学能力。课堂教学工作将侧重于科学与职业技术教育（CTE）的整合。自然科学与CTE的整合通过利用科学概念与其现实世界应用之间的联系，专门解决了职业发展问题。科学课教授学生必须理解的生物和化学概念，以获得工作上的成功和明智的决策。CTE通过强调职业和工作培训，清楚地展示了科学知识如何应用于各种卫生、科学和技术职业。今天的CTE课程不再仅仅专注于职业和技术培训，而是为学生提供了一个参与实践经验的机会，以加强对一系列职业的准备。农村、少数民族和服务不足的学生越来越多地利用CTE课程作为确保职业成功的途径。为了满足鼓励和培养下一代基础、转化和临床癌症研究人员的迫切需求，我们在德克萨斯大学系统的五个校区组建了一支经验丰富、具有合作精神的教职员工团队，参与了mentor项目。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): This application addresses broad Challenge Area (12) Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Education, and specific Challenge Topic 12-CA-104: Developing the Workforce in Emerging Technologies CURE. The goals of the proposed MENTORS (Model Education Networks to Optimize Rural Science) Project are directly responsive to stated goals of this area and topic, because MENTORS aims to: "create a pipeline of underserved students and investigators in the fields of emerging and advanced technologies;" "increase the number of scientists from underserved populations" and "enhance cancer research" through "increased training and educational opportunities for minority and underserved students" to "enhance the diversity of the pool of future investigators." Currently, there are insufficient numbers of students pursuing careers in biomedical research, technology development and healthcare delivery. The lack of students from diverse ethnic, racial and financial backgrounds entering these fields is particularly concerning. Experts report that waning student interest in these careers is due, at least in part, to a lack of understanding about what scientific and medical careers entail and misconceptions about the rewards and required aptitudes. There is general consensus that in order to effectively address the lack of diversity in science, educational and recruitment programs cannot begin at the college level and cannot focus entirely on students alone. Programs to address this urgent need cannot ignore the influence of educational experiences in secondary school. Early, positive interactions with scientists enthusiastically engaged in basic, translational and clinical cancer research can have important and lasting impacts on student career choices. Conversely, uninteresting content and/or poor teaching in high school can be very detrimental to future choices. Accordingly, our response to this CHALLENGE employs a more comprehensive approach that includes on-site research experiences for high school students from a variety of backgrounds, as well as collaboration with classroom teachers to increase awareness of the opportunities in research and technology and improve the capacity for inquiry-based classroom instruction. The classroom instructional efforts will be focused on the integration of science and Career and Technology Education (CTE). The integration of natural science and CTE specifically addresses career development by making use of the connection between science concepts and their real world application. Science classes teach the biological and chemical concepts that students must understand for job success and informed decision-making. CTE, through an emphasis on career and job training, provides a clear demonstration of how science knowledge is applied to a variety of heath, science and technical careers. Today's CTE classes are no longer focused exclusively on vocational and technical training, but now provide an opportunity for students to participate in hands-on experiences to enhance preparation for a range of careers. CTE classes are increasingly utilized by rural, minority and underserved students as a pathway to ensure career success. To address this urgent need to encourage and prepare the next generation of basic, translational and clinical cancer researchers, we have assembled an experienced and collaborative team of faculty and staff on five campuses of the University of Texas system to participate in the MENTORS Project. The Project is designed to focus underserved and minority high school students in TX, particularly those in rural school districts, where there is often a lack necessary resources and opportunities for educational enrichment. To accomplish these goals, the MENTORS Project includes the following Specific Aims: 1. To provide hands-on, onsite research experiences for high school students to stimulate pursuit of a broad variety of health, science and technology careers. MENTORS will provide opportunities for high school students to participate in onsite field experiences and paid Research Internships that will provide the opportunity to interact with biomedical research scientists, technical and health care professionals engaged in basic, translational and clinical research, particularly those focusing on health disparities. 2. To engage an existing collaborative network of high school teachers and research and laboratory scientists who will work together to develop and disseminate classroom lesson, activity and field experience plans that enhance student preparation. The Project will provide paid Educator Fellowships and professional development workshops to support teacher participation in the collaborative development and dissemination of research-inspired classroom materials, designed to enhance preparation of students for science, health and technology careers. 3. To utilize a mini-grant program to support STEM-CTE integration in rural underserved and minority classrooms. The Project will develop a mini-grant program that will allow high school teacher teams to apply for funds to support implementation of a comprehensive STEM-CTE integration program in their schools. Public Health Relevance: The MENTORS project will make a crucial contribution to biomedical research and public health by enhancing recruitment of minority and underserved students into scientific and clinical careers. Furthermore, many rural areas in Texas are medically underserved and have critical shortages of healthcare professionals. By actively engaging students in activities that stimulate career development, high school graduation rates will rise and more students will pursue post secondary training to prepare them for careers in health care delivery and research.