Boosting interest in health science and STEM

The overarching goal of this project is to increase rural student interest in pursuing a career in the health care professions, and in so doing help address the higher morbidity and mortality in rural communities associated with the shortage of healthcare professionals. To accomplish this, we have developed a transformative educational program for 9th-12th grade students that uses research-based strategies to address the key modifiable barriers that limit rural student interest in and the ability to succeed in health care careers.

Through innovative curriculum, hands-on activities, and challenge-based learning, students will gain awareness of fulfilling careers in the healthcare field. We offer a 5-Day free neuroscience Summer Camp where students will learn about drug use, changes in the brain, how addiction is treated, and interact with CU students, CU faculty, and health care professionals to gain a deeper insight into career pathways. In the Afterschool program students immerse themselves into the role of a healthcare professional and through monthly campus workshops, field trips, and afterschool activities, they will collaborate on authentic solutions to  health-related problems.

Afterschool and Summer Camp Programs

In the afterschool program, students will work in teams to take on the role of various healthcare members. Using an immersive, challenge based curriculum to support their learning, these Care Teams take a deep dive into the neuroscience behind drug addiction and treatment. The program also includes activities aimed at improving students’ academic ability, as well as field trips to Clarkson and elsewhere that include academic enhancement workshops and visits to health care facilities so participants can interact with healthcare professionals, such as doctors, nurses, physician assistants, and occupational therapists.

Our 5-day interactive summer camp offers students the chance to explore the impact of drug use and addiction on the brain through hands-on lab activities, interactions with healthcare professionals, and the study of brain science. In small groups, students will investigate these topics and discover how the basic science of addiction connects to treatment approaches.

Immersive Teacher Institute

Teachers are provided a roadmap to engage with learners in the development of skill sets around inquiry based learning and metacognition. This toolkit integrates methods aimed to foster curiosity through a variety of methods. The overall goal is to foster brainstorm ideas, a sense of belonging, and the freedom to develop self agency as learners explore scientific ideas. 

Our toolkit is designed to also present the strategies on how and when to use them with learners. Some tools and strategies are best employed when first introducing new topics and others are better employed as the learner moves from a novice in the topic, to being proficient, or on the way to exemplary. 

Topics and approaches include strategic approaches to framing complex issues, design thinking, issues mapping vs. mind mapping, metacognition, fixed vs. growth mindset, creating effective guiding questions, question formulation technique, and open vs. closed questions.

Online Accessible Educational Curricula

Providing resources and lesson plans for teachers anywhere, our curriculum is aligned with next generation science standards and modularized for flexibility. Empowering teachers and students worldwide with drop-in educational content and interactive science lessons. Accessible, multimedia materials engage students with different learning styles and exceed state and national standards.