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The overall goal of our integrated teacher and student programs is to enhance student interest in and knowledge of biomedical science thereby promoting future Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) career choices. The student programs are designed to: 1) provide students with experiences that increase scientific knowledge, critical thinking ability, and lab skills; 2) enhance career awareness of potential future biomedical, health, and STEM careers; and 3) provide an interconnecting series of programs that serve as a pipeline to channel students into future biomedical STEM careers. The Saturday Biomedical Science Academy for 4th-6th grade students and many of their parents become engaged with the fun side of biomedical science by performing a wide variety of standards- and inquiry-based laboratory experiments. Summer Science Camp I targets 7th-8th grade students in half-day, 4-week sessions. Students improve critical thinking skills while performing activities including Chem-Mystery experiments, introduction to gel electrophoresis, designing and launching bottle rockets, and effects of drugs on Daphnia. In Camp II, 9th-10th grade students learn state of the art methods such as DNA fingerprinting, protein isolation, chromosome karyotyping, DNA sequencing, and gram staining of bacteria. The High School Summer Research Program provides 10th-12th grade students with an immersion experience in research for 8 weeks in a faculty mentor's lab. Students present the results of their research project formally in a closing reception and at their home campuses. Three programs more specifically address the need for biomedical career awareness to enable more informed future career decisions. At the Expanding Your Horizons Conference, 6th-8th grade girls attend workshops provided by successful women in STEM-based careers and have the opportunity to experience different careers with hands-on activities. In the Pathfinders Health Careers program, 9th-12th grade students visit a major medical center and learn about different health-related careers through hands-on experiences, tours, and visits from guest lecturers. A one-week Health Sciences Careers Academy provides 10th-12th grade students with an immersion experience in which they learn about the wide array of health careers available, educational requirements, application procedures, gain hands-on skills, and shadow a professional for a half day. Seventy percent of the student participants in the summer programs have chosen STEM based majors in college and their careers. The teacher professional development component is designed to provide science teachers with science content knowledge, materials/supplies, and mentoring to assist them in the implementation of meaningful science learning experiences that will improve students' scientific literacy and inspire the pursuit of future biomedical science careers. Teachers have the opportunity to attend the one-day, annual Regional Science Teachers Conference, Teacher Professional Development workshops during the academic year and summer, and borrow needed equipment, supplies, and kits from the Educational Resource Center. Participation in the teacher professional development experiences has been shown to significantly improve teacher content knowledge, teaching skills, and student achievement.
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