• The PROBE program provided high school (grades 10 - 12) and middle school (grades 6 - 9) students with "hands-on" laboratory experience during an eight week summer program. Students were teamed with working scientists to conduct research projects. They learned by doing in an interactive, problem-solving format. Interspersed throughout the summer program, students were given experiences outside of their residential lab, in a host of related activities that were designed to inform, enlighten and interest the students in science.
• The PROBE program established "mentor/teacher" relationships between School of Medicine faculty and precollege teachers. This component provided resource personnel to the teacher; training in laboratory experiences that can now be brought back to the classroom; general science education refreshers; and information to aid teachers in keeping abreast of fast paced scientific advances. The teachers also provided valuable experience to the faculty in helping to develop a molecular biology experiment that will now be used in the precollege classroom. This program required short (i.e., days) intense interaction with the teachers.
• The PROBE program provided seminars and demonstrations by scientists that were presented and incorporated into the precollege curriculum. Topics included age-appropriate scientific presentations, as well as career opportunities. This component not only stimulated students directly, but allowed some in-service flexibility to teachers for work on lab development, etc.

• This being a year of a no-cost extension, it was a challenge to provide the maximum amount of benefit with a limited budget. It was helpful, obviously that we already had firmly established relationships with schools and science teachers, as well as, students and parents. We were unable to conduct our intensive summer scholars program, but did impact students by providing support to them in their efforts in the Illinois Jr. Academy of Sciences State Exposition. We were also able to provide short term experiences to a wide array of students.
• Our program intensively utilized research faculty time. Over a six year period, it was obvious that many of our faculty wanted either a respite or wanted out. This was not as evident this no-cost extension year because the demands were reduced. I think that a greater number of faculty involvement would allow for a rotation of the more labor intensive positions and I think an increase in the support and expressed value of this type of involvement by the administration would be beneficial. If this type of effort does not have any impact during annual reviews or even promotion decisions, then young faculty especially will find this sort of volunteerism counterproductive to their best interests and these are the faculty that would be the most useful to the program.

• DxR: A Simulated Patient Experience A computer based interactive program will be used to present aspects of health care delivery and diagnosis. The "doctor" can take a "patient's" history, ask questions, run lab tests and attempt a diagnosis. The program emphasizes problem-solving skills in a stimulating and immediately responsive feedback system. The student is introduced to what it might be like to work in the health care profession and gains experience in using computers as a tool. DxR Development Group Inc., 150 East Pleasant Hill Road, Carbondale, IL 62901; 618 452-1140; sales@dxrgroup.com
• F. Netter Atlas of Human Anatomy. An interactive CD of the famous Netter Atlas. DxR Development Group Inc., 150 East Pleasant Hill Road, Carbondale, IL 62901; 618 452-1140; sales@dxrgroup.com

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