NIH Science Education Programs at Risk

Proposed Reorganization of STEM Programs Threatens Funding for Health and Biomedical Education

Click HERE for the photobook of programs that will be impacted by the proposed reorganization.

On April 10, 2013, the White House submitted a FY14 budget request to Congress that radically reorganizes federally-funded Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math education (STEM) programs across multiple agencies, particularly the National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and NASA.  In the proposal, 266 programs across 13 agencies would be consolidated into 122 programs. The budget proposal identifies the National Science Foundation, the Department of Education, and the Smithsonian as the primary agencies to organize and oversee future federally-funded STEM education efforts.

The following day, NIH held a conference call for all NIH grantees with funding for K-12 and informal science and health education projects. Dr. Larry Tabak, principal deputy director at NIH, announced that NIH is “pausing” funding for these programs. No new grants will be awarded. Non-competing renewals will be funded in FY 2013, but funding after that is uncertain. While increased coordination of STEM education across federal agencies is a laudable goal, several consequences of the proposed changes have profound implications for health and biomedical education in the US.  In particular, the elimination of the Office of Science Education at the National Institutes of Health and the Science Education Partnership Award  (SEPA) and similar science education programs at individual NIH institutes would threaten our national competitiveness, security, public health, and broader understanding of, and support for, science.

The NIH Office of Science Education (OSE) is scheduled to close at the end of September, 2013.  The OSE has had a tremendous impact on health science education through its many programs.  For example, OSE staff have distributed 450,000 Curriculum Supplements to approximately 100,000 educators across the U.S.  Their website receives over one million hits/year. If you are interested in receiving hard copies of their popular Curriculum Supplement series, please contact them at oseATscience.education.nih.gov.

The journal Science, in Wild Cards Remain After Proposed Reshuffle of STEM Education (April 19, 2013; vol 340, p. 258-259), notes the following:

Many science educators say that the proposed cuts would scrap effective programs just as the country needs to be doing more.  ‘”The SEPA program is the face of the NIH to the country,” says a grantee on one of the programs facing the chopping block. “It’s a vehicle for telling the public how NIH is translating science into practice,” says the grantee, who requested anonymity (p. 258).

The Co-STEM Committee at the Office of Science and Technology Policy is scheduled to release a strategic plan in mid-May with additional information.

The following link provides the complete list of programs under consideration to be paused/consolidated/eliminated:

Proposed STEM Education Reorganization Contained in the President’s FY14 Budget Request
Note especially the following list relative to health and biomedical education:

• 30 Clinical Research Training Program HHS
• 31 Curriculum Supplement Series HHS
• 32 NIAID Science Education Awards HHS
• 33 NINDS Diversity Research Education Grants in Neuroscience HHS
• 34 NLM Institutional Grants for Research Training in Biomedical Informatics HHS
• 35 OD Science Education Partnership Award HHS (SEPA)
• 36 Office of Science Education K-12 Program HHS (NIH Office of Science Education)
• 37 Public Health Traineeship HHS
• 38 Science Education Drug Abuse Partnership Award HHS
• 39 Short Term Educational Experiences for Research (STEER) in the Environmental health Sciences for Undergraduates and High School Students HHS

The following are points raised by the SEPA community in response to this development:

The Need for Health and Biomedical Science Education Programs Aimed at Grades K–12 and the Broader Public at the NIH

Health and biomedical sciences for grades K-12 are critical components of STEM education that help to ensure the nation’s capability to prevent disease and improve health. The proposed 2014 STEM education consolidation plan, however, eliminates K-12 and informal health and biomedical science education from its traditional place in the portfolio of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and, by default, from the national STEM education agenda. No other federal agency supports programs comparable to those that would be lost.

More than 65 NIH-funded, K-12 health and biomedical science education projects currently operate in 40 states. These include “in-person” programs for more than 82,500 K-12 students and 5,750 K-12 teachers each year, and online programs that reach more than 20 million K-12 students and educators annually. NIH-funded exhibitions at some of the nation’s largest museums and science centers reach millions more students, teachers and families. With emphasis on engaging underserved populations, K-12 educational initiatives supported by NIH create thoroughly evaluated, science-rich interactive exhibits, curriculum materials, teacher professional development programs, student and teacher research experiences, and out-of-school learning opportunities. Ongoing NIH-funded K-12 educational programs benefit the nation in the following ways.

• Improve preparation for, and access to careers in medicine, healthcare, biotechnology and biomedical research, with a focus on students from under-represented groups.Address health disparities by increasing access to college and health professions careers for under-served students, who are more likely than their peers to practice in medically underserved areas.
• Build public understanding and support of biomedical research and clinical trials through educational programs that emphasize the relationship between NIH discoveries and their translation into positive health outcomes.
• Encourage and facilitate involvement of biomedical research scientists in K-12 STEM education, and engage the resources of colleges, universities, medical schools and science museums in supporting K-12 STEM education.
• Promote health literacy and better decision-making to address preventable health problems among America’s youth, reduce the burdens of chronic illnesses and infectious diseases, and enable consumers to make sense of genetic and other newly available health information.
• Increase students’ interest in STEM topics through personally relevant examples from health and biomedicine that are aligned with recommendations of the Next Generation Science Standards.

For more than two decades, NIH has invested in the development of human capital and a unique infrastructure that is meeting our nation’s K-12 health and biomedical science education needs. These investments have produced significant, demonstrable outcomes that would not have been possible otherwise. Current K-12 programs sponsored by NIH, including the Office of Science Education, employ rigorous, results-oriented and cost-effective approaches to tackle major national issues, as listed below.

• Jobs: Healthcare and biomedical science are crucial elements of the economy. The US Department of Commerce estimates that healthcare accounts for $1.75 trillion in revenues and employs more than 14 million people (nine percent of the US workforce).
• Provider Shortages: The nation faces an acute shortage of healthcare workers in all areas, and the problem is expected to grow. The American Association of Medical Colleges projects that there will be a shortage of more than 90,000 physicians—including 45,000 primary care physicians—by the end of the decade. About 55 million people already lack access to a physician.
• Wellness and Disease Prevention: According to the Milken Institute, more than half of all Americans suffer from one or more chronic diseases, many of which are preventable. Healthcare spending is projected to reach almost 20% of the US gross domestic product by 2021. Racial and ethnic minorities suffer disproportionately from diseases such as cancer, diabetes and HIV/AIDS, but participate less frequently in programs that could help to reduce disparities.

Without K-12 health and biomedical science education initiatives, our nation will be unable to solve many of its most pressing workforce, economic and healthcare problems.

Download points above as a PDF: NIH-K12
Sources: Fixing the Doctor Shortage (AAMC) - Health Economic Fact Sheet - The Health and Medical Technology Industry in the United States  - Next Generation Science Standards - Milken Institute Center for Health Economics

Fig. 1. Distribution of 2012 Science Education Partnership Awards by State.
Nearly every state will be impacted by these changes.

Taking action:

• Please contact members of:  The House Committee on Appropriations (Particularly members of the Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Subcommittee) with your concerns.
  This is especially important if you belong to a district which a member of the Committee represents.
•  Additionally, contact members of the House Committee on Science, Space and Technology.

Additional Resources
Please contact us at jchowningATnwabr.org with suggestions and corrections

• NIH FY 2014 budget (http://officeofbudget.od.nih.gov/pdfs/fy14/fy 2014_overview.pdf); funding for the SEPA program is specifically not included in the budget (see budget summary on page 35).
• The Office of Science Technology Policy (OSTP) issued Preparing a 21st Century Workforce: Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Education in the 2013 Budget, which highlights changes in STEM education proposed in the presidential FY14 budget.
• OSTP 2-page overview of FY2014 science budget and goals
• GAO report to Congressional Requesters (January 2012)
  Strategic Planning Needed to Better Manage Overlapping Programs Across Multiple Agencies
• Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education, Chair: Rep. Todd Rokita (R-IN), “Raising the Bar: Reviewing STEM Education in America” (April 10, 2013)
• Government Strategy Needed to Better Manage Overlapping Programs, George Scott, Government Accountability Office (April 10. 2013)
• ED Week: Obama Budget Features New Plans for STEM, High Schools (April 12, 2013)
• AAAS’s news release about the budget proposal

Cultivating Connections…Inspiring the Future

NWABR’s Annual Fundraising Dinner: Come Celebrate with Us!

June 4, 2013
415 Westlake Ave N, Seattle, WA

Save the date! Reserve your tables and seats!

NWABR’s annual fundraising event is a celebration of our life sciences community that brings together over 300 researchers, educators and students from across the Pacific Northwest region. We are privileged to honor three visionary leaders, each of whom has created cultures committed to inspiring our future scientists.

Leroy Hood, MD, PhD, President, Institute for Systems Biolology
Susanna Cunningham, PhD, RN, FAAN, Professor, School of Nursing, University of Washington
Carolyn Hovde Bohach, PhD, Director, IDeA Network of Biomedical ResearchExcellence, University of Idaho

Program:
5:30 p.m. – Reception featuring the Student Bio Expo winners
6:30 – 8:30 p.m. – Dinner & Program

If you have any questions, please contact info@nwabr.org. Come celebrate with us!

Rally for Medical Research–View Live!

On Monday, April 8 at 8 am. Pacific Time,  our NWABR community is proud to join over 200 partner organizations across the country in the Rally for Medical Research.  To watch the Rally live, click HERE. To follow the activities on Twitter, connect with #RallyMedRes. Never before have so many in the medical research community come together in such a public way to express support for NIH.

Add Your Voice to the Rally for Medical Research!

We need your voice in the fight to protect and preserve medical research funding!  As a result of the Budget Control Act of 2011 and sequestration, the National Institutes of Health, which funds many of our organizations’ critical research, is losing 5.1% ($1.5 billion). We have the chance to leverage the actions of the NWABR Community by building momentum toward the April 8^th National Rally for Medical Research in Washington, D.C. NWABR is one of more than 100 partner organizations engaged in this effort. In the next two weeks, we encourage you to reach out to Northwest policymakers directly and help sustain biomedical research that improves health, drives economic progress, and saves patients’ lives. But we need to act fast.

Our senators and representatives are back in our home districts between March 25 and April 5.  Please set up a visit, write an editorial, send a video clip, make a phone call and share with me directly the outcome of your efforts at susan@nwabr.org. It is your personal stories about the impact of NIH funding that will set the stage when the final votes are counted. Organizations affected by these cuts can also sign on to become Rally partners that inspire awareness and action in the community.

All our combined efforts across the country will culminate on the morning of April 8 at the Rally for Medical Research headlined by NIH Director Francis Collins, news anchor Soledad O’Brien and Research!America Chairman John Edward Porter. These well-known leaders will be joined by the most compelling advocates for biomedical research—patients and their families whose lives have improved or have been saved by federally-funded research.

The cumulative impact of these NIH cuts on research in Washington, Oregon, Montana and Idaho will be devastating for current and ongoing programs, our states’ economies, and the countless lives and jobs that depend on biomedical innovation. Francis Collins calls these cuts a “profound and devastating” blow at a time of unprecedented scientific opportunity. Please speak up at this critically important time for biomedical research in our region and across the nation. Contact your representatives today, start sharing your impact stories, and add your voice to the Rally for Medical Research!

Links to Northwest Congressional Delegation Offices:

Washington

Oregon

Idaho

Montana

Youth Ethics Summit: Science Saturday for Students

NWABR, University of Washington (UW) Department of Bioengineering, and UW Microfabrication Facility hosted 51 high school students (one made a special trip from Idaho) from 22 schools at the University of Washington on Saturday, March 2. Featuring laboratory tours, UW student showcase, liquid nitrogen ice cream, and breakout sessions on global health, artificial organs, computer science and nanotechnology, the day was full of hands-on activities and interactions with bioengineering students and professionals.

These are a few statements from our participants that demonstrate the impact of this day-long event:

“The demonstrations were the best, I thought, but the explanations taught me how everything ties together. The science is cool, the outfits were wacky and the whole thing was very well-done and enjoyable.”

“It showed me that I can incorporate my love for biology, genetics, and problem-solving into one field.”

“I loved [the Artificial Organs] breakout session. The need for bioengineering in the artificial organ area was not one that had previously occurred to me. I can see myself working in that field.”

“I am interested in medicine or sciences and this field works on technology and methods to improve health of people around the world.”

“I learned a lot and enjoyed every moment. It was highly interesting and involving. I am now more interested in bioengineering than I ever thought I’d be.”

2013 NWABR Programs Are Looking for Motivated High School Students

RESEARCH FELLOWS
2-week summer program (June 21-July 3)

NWABR proudly announces that the application for the 2013 Student Research Fellows is now available. Student Research Fellows supports 10-12 students (especially those from backgrounds traditionally underrepresented in science) in a 2-week paid summer fellowship. Students visit a broad variety of research institutions throughout the Seattle area, learn how new medical treatments are developed, and discuss ethical issues in biomedical research. Eligible students are those who will be high school sophomores or juniors in the 2013-2014 school year. Students will receive $350 upon completion of the summer program and $50 upon completion of the school year follow-up project. This program is funded by the National Institutes of Health.

YOUTH ETHICS SUMMIT: BIOENGINEERING (Saturday, March 2)

In addition, NWABR is now registering high school students for this year’s Youth Ethics Summit, which features a partnership with University of Washington’s Department of Bioengineering. Showcasing lab tours, hands-on activities, lunch, and interactive breakout sessions, the 2013 Youth Ethics Summit will be held at the William H Foege Building North at the University of Washington on Saturday, March 2. Space is limited to only 50 students, so please register early.

Please direct questions about the Students Research Fellows to Joan Griswold at jgriswold@nwabr.org.

Please email questions concerning the Youth Ethics Summit to Dr. Jenn Pang at jpang@nwabr.org.

Falling Off the “Fiscal Cliff”: As Funding Cuts Loom, Americans Are Willing to Pay for Biomedical Research

As pundits project and partisans dig in on Capitol Hill, Americans remain committed to investing in biomedical research, and are even willing to spend more of their tax dollars to advance science in their communities. According to a new national public opinion poll commissioned by Research!America:

• More than 50% say they would be willing to pay $1 more per week if the dollars would go to medical research – even in these tough fiscal times.
• More than three-quarters (78%) say that it is important that the U.S. work to improve health globally through research and innovation.
• Nearly 70% believe that the federal government should increase support for programs and policies that would increase the number of young Americans who pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
• 68% say it’s important that the federal research and development tax credit is made permanent.

How might falling off the “fiscal cliff” affect biomedical research in Washington State? The biomedical research sector provides thousands of jobs in Washington: pharmaceutical (2,490); medical device (7,760); research, testing, and laboratories (15,088); and overall private sector (2,429,884).  Further reduction in NIH and NSF funding to biomedical research could affect this sector and reduce employment opportunities nation-wide, forcing job-seekers to relocate or potentially discourage students from pursuing scientific careers.

Current NIH funding has designated Seattle as the hub for comparative-effectiveness research in cancer. The Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Group Health Research Institute, and the University of Washington School of Public Health are leading projects in cancer genomics, cancer diagnostics, breast imaging, and cancer screening. Results from these projects will provide vital information in diagnosis, treating, and communicating information about cancer to medical professionals, patients and their families, and health insurance companies. The threatened reduction in funding could impact these critical programs and may delay evaluations of testing and treatments for cancer patients. Without continued biomedical research funding in Washington—and across the U.S.—we compromise our ability to evaluate cancer diagnostic tools, screening tests, treatments, and a balanced assessment of cost and benefit.

Time is running out on Capitol Hill. While it’s absolutely necessary to reduce the deficit, more spending cuts that hinder medical progress are harmful to public health, the economy, and global innovation. The Northwest is a national leader in biomedical research and innovation, and our representatives can still save thousands of jobs, and $70 million in grant funding in Washington alone. Reach out to our lawmakers today—before they adjourn for the holiday—and count yourself among the majority of Americans who take action to preserve and advance biomedical research funding.

NWABR Urges Congress to Preserve Biomedical Research Funding

Sequestration could cost WA at least $70 million in grant funding

Now that the election is finally over, it’s easy to be distracted from the ongoing work of the current congress, and the looming threat that budget sequestration poses to the biomedical research industry. The Budget Control Act of 2011 requires that across-the-board cuts to be applied to a large portion of the federal budget on January 2, 2013, unless Congress reverses it. For domestic programs, around $39 billion in cuts would be applied to “discretionary” programs, which include the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the National Science Foundation (NSF).  According to a United for Medical Research report, if NIH funding is cut by 7.8% as part of budget sequestration, the state of Washington will be hit especially hard, with a loss of 1,184 jobs and $72.2 million in grants supported by this funding. And that is just the beginning.

This week, members of Research!America, a nonprofit advocacy alliance, are headed to Capitol Hill to make the case that sequestration is harmful not just for biomedical research, but also for our economy. As part of their Save Research campaign, NWABR was proud to sign a letter urging congressional leaders to reject any deficit reduction proposals that would cut research funding or hinder incentives that support biomedical innovation.

The full letter is posted below. Please take a moment to reach out to your congressional delegation and ask them to preserve funding that will help combat disease and spur private sector innovation in the Northwest and beyond.

Dear Mr. Reid, Mr. McConnell, Mr. Boehner, and Ms. Pelosi:

As advocates for biomedical and health research, we are writing to urge you to refrain from deploying deficit reduction strategies, like sequestration, that would slow medical progress.

Our nation leads the world in biomedical and health research, a function of public sector support and private sector ingenuity. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is unrivaled in spurring the basic discovery that lays the path for private sector innovation. Peer-reviewed NIH funding reaches all 50 states and congressional districts, spurring discovery at universities, hospitals, small businesses, and independent research institutes. In fact, NIH-supported research has:

• Supported nearly 500,000 jobs in 2011 in every state
• Generated $62 billion in economic activity in 2011
• Helped increase life expectancy from 47 years in 1900 to 78 years in 2009

But this is not just about NIH.  The National Science Foundation (NSF), Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) all provide a positive return on investment to our nation, protecting American lives and promoting American prosperity.

• NSF’s grant portfolio is designed to identify and pursue the best scientific opportunities across the spectrum  of scientific disciplines, including biomedical research.
• FDA is a key conduit between medical discovery and medical progress, laying the path for safe and effective  medical products to reach the marketplace.
• CDC conducts and supports the public health research needed to contain disease outbreaks, promote wellness, and in other ways provide basic supports for a safe and healthy society; and
• AHRQ combats entrenched and insidious problems in our nation’s health care system – like preventable medical errors and needless administrative red tape — that take lives and inflate the cost of taxpayer funded health programs and private insurance alike.

Disinvesting from biomedical and health research – and the infrastructure and expertise needed to conduct it – would contravene the goal of deficit reduction. This research is one of the fundamental underpinnings of our economy, a reality well understood by other nations, which are ramping up their investment and building out their research infrastructure.  Research is a catalyst that creates businesses large and small, and generates jobs in research, manufacturing, distribution, exports, health care and a host of other sectors. Those businesses and jobs supply federal revenue needed to reduce the deficit.

In addition, research can help stem runaway federal healthcare spending, which is driving our deficit. While new treatments may require additional cost at the outset, research has shown the offsetting effects of reduced hospitalizations, fewer visits to providers, reduced home care, a reduction in the Social Security disability roles, and improved productivity.  As you well know, the cost of treating diseases like Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and other diseases are exploding. There is no high-impact alternative to research as a means of addressing this crisis.

When it comes to the fiscal health of our nation, biomedical and health research are part of the solution, not part of the problem.  Whether it is appropriations policy or entitlement and tax reform, we urge you to discard any proposal that cuts funding or mutes incentives for public- and private-sector supported medical innovation.   Compassion and pragmatism intersect in the decision to do so.

Thank you for your consideration.

NWABR Fall Update

October 17, 2012
NWABR Fall Education Update

The Northwest Association for Biomedical Research is pleased to announce a number of upcoming events that reflect our commitment to engaging students, teachers and the public in dialogue about the importance of research.

Washington Science Teachers Association (WSTA)
Jeanne Chowning and Joan Griswold will be presenting sessions highlighting our curricular resources on Bioethics, Bioinformatics, Stem Cells and Animal Research at the WSTA conference in Yakima, Washington, on Saturday and Sunday, October 20 – 21, 2012.

National Association of Biology Teachers (NABT)
We will also be presenting sessions on Bioethics, Bioinformatics, Animal Research, Socratic Seminars and Stem Cells at the NABT conference in Dallas, Texas, November 1 – 3, 2012.

Information on sessions, times and locations for both conferences can be found at: http://www.nwabr.org/landing/teachers.

Life Sciences Research Weekend
Everyone is invited to experience science at its finest: fun, interactive and educational. NWABR and Pacific Science Center are co-presenting this sixth annual event. Over twenty companies and research institutions will have hands-on activities at Pacific Science Center on November 2 – 4, 2012. Meet the scientists on Friday 10am – 2pm; Saturday and Sunday 10am – 5pm. Complete list of exhibitors: http://nwabr.org/community/life-sciences-research-weekend

Other educational updates
Curriculum: Understanding Research and Ethics
Two new curricular modules are nearing completion and available for classroom use. The Nature of Scientific Research (http://www.nwabr.org/curriculum/nature-research) and The Science and Ethics of Humans in Research (http://www.nwabr.org/curriculum/humans-research) provide hands-on activities, ethical background, and historical and current case-studies to support students in understanding the intersection of ethics and biomedical research.

Teacher Workshops: Applications of Biotechnology in the Classroom
This three-part teacher professional development workshop series will be held in partnership with Shoreline Community College’s Amgen Bruce Wallace Program and will take place December 7-8, 2012, February 13-14, 2013 and June 20-22, 2013. Whether you’re new to working with DNA and agarose gels or an experienced middle or high school teacher, these workshops are designed to be taken individually or in series based on your needs and skills. Find out more at:http://www.nwabr.org/shoreline-partnership-workshop

New Animation:  DNA Barcoding
This two-part animation accompanies our advanced bioinformatics curriculum Using Bioinformatics: Genetic Research and explains the steps involved in DNA barcoding, from finding a sample to analyzing a DNA sequence.  Visit the advanced bioinformatics curriculum page and click on the “Resources” tab. http://www.nwabr.org/curriculum/advanced-bioinformatics-genetic-research

Publication: The American Biology Teacher
An activity from our introductory bioinformatics curriculum was recently highlighted in the article Modeling Protein Structure and Function: Pencil Transferase published in the October 2012 issue of The American Biology Teacher. The article can be found here: http://tinyurl.com/8cs8bku

NWABR would like to thank the 43 teachers, 34 students and 92 volunteers from 12 NWABR member institutions who participated in our CURE and ITEST summer programs in July and August! Check out student comments about the Student Fellow’s program at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q2qgtASo-sY

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The “Collaborations to Understand Research and Ethics” (CURE) program is supported by a Science Education Partnership Award grant from the National Center for Research Resources and the Division of Program Coordination, Planning, and Strategic Initiatives of the National Institutes of Health through Grant Number R25OD011138.

The “Innovative Technology Experiences for Students and Teachers” (ITEST) program is supported by a grant award from the National Science Foundation, DRL-0833779

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Save the Date for Life Sciences Research Weekend – Nov. 2-4!
Experience science at its finest – hands-on, exploratory, and just plain fun!

NWABR and Pacific Science Center invite you to the 6th annual
Life Sciences Research Weekend
Nov. 2-4, 2012 – Friday through Sunday
at Pacific Science Center

Life sciences companies and research institutions from around the state will host interactive exhibits that reflect the cutting edge research that is taking place in our state.

If you want to meet scientists that have great passion for the work they do, plan to attend!  Life Science Research Weekend events are included with regular Pacific Science Center admission.

If your company or institution would like to have visibility with over 5000 visitors that are expected, sign up to have an activity table.  Scientists whose institutions are not having an activity table are welcome as volunteers.  Contact Reitha Weeks at rweeks@nwabr.org

For more information and to see the list of confirmed exhibitors, visit http://www.nwabr.org/community/life-sciences-research-weekend.
This program is made possible by a SEPA grant to Pacific Science Center from NCRR at National Institutes of Health.

More from the Student Research Fellows!

“I learned a lot about the bioengineering department at the University of Washington. I honestly never thought I would even have a slight interest in engineering, but today really sparked an interest for me. I leaned about the great research that’s going on at the UW.” -Sina

“Human trials are a long, difficult process, and even though they are long a difficult they value justice and fairness.” -Justice

“The rat activity was fun to do and it told a lot about how well-treated the animals are and how strictly followed the regulations are.” -Christopher

“Cn3D! A new “video game” to play with at home to see some proteins” -Laurence

This week in the Student Fellows Program, we’ve visualized proteins using Cn3D, visited the University of Washington’s Department of Bioengineering, learned about clinical trials at the HIV Vaccine Trials Network, toured Institute for Systems Biology, learned about lab rats from the VA Puget Sound Health Care Systems, and toured PATH…

It has been an interesting and fun week! Throughout the program, the students have been engaged, positive and have asked excellent questions. What a great group!

Thank you to all of our amazing hosts and tour guides!

Student Research Fellows, 2012

What a week with NWABR! Our twelve Student Research Fellows visited  Amgen, the University of Washington’s Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center and the University of Washington Clinical Research Center. Thank you to our hosts for providing us with engaging speakers, tours of your labs and lots of new ideas!

Some student quotes:

“I learned so much about the immune system as well as flow cytometry. It was an eye-opening experience. Because of today, I have included another possible direction to my list of future careers.”  -Chris

“I learned all about stem cells, how research is done, how stem cells are harvested and why they are so important to life and the future.” -Bethany

“When I am older, I want to do something involving genetic disease. I think this is promising.” -Emma

RARE Screening and Discussion at Seattle Science Festival

Monday, June 4th
Film presentation at 7:00pm followed by a panel discussion concluding by 9:00pm
In the PACCAR Theater at Pacific Science Center
Free to NWABR and Pacific Science Center members | $5 for public

Click here for tickets.

What would you do if your child were diagnosed with a rare genetic disorder? Come learn about one mother’s struggle to mobilize research that could potentially help her daughter and others with a rare form of albinism.

We are excited to announce that Heather Kirkwood, who is featured in the film and who serves as Director of Outreach/Vice President for the Hermansky-Pudlak Syndrome (HPS) Network, will travel from Kansas for the event! She will be joined by Dr. Maren Grainger-Monsen, Director of the Program in Bioethics and Film at the Stanford University Center for Biomedical Ethics, Dr. Benjamin Wilfond, Director of the Treuman Katz Center for Pediatric Bioethics at Seattle Children’s Research Institute, and Dr. Malia Fullerton, Associate Professor of Bioethics and Humanities at the University of Washington School of Medicine, in the panel discussion after the screening.

Come learn about one mother’s struggle to mobilize research that could potentially help her daughter and others with a rare form of albinism. The Seattle Science Festival will have the exclusive opportunity to premiere the film, RARE, co-directed by award-winning filmmaker Dr. Maren Grainger-Monsen and Nicole Newnham, filmmaker and writer at the Stanford University Center for Biomedical Ethics.

This engaging film provides insight into the lives of people with Hermansky-Pudlak Syndrome (HPS) and illustrates the efforts of the HPS community to attract researchers and study participants to fight this rare genetic condition. It reflects the challenges faced by any family seeking answers when research is the only pathway to a loved one’s chances of survival. Learn more about the documentary by clicking here. Don’t miss this RARE combination of quality film and engaging discussion, all in the comfort of the newly refurbished PACCAR theater!

This event is presented in partnership with the Department of Bioethics and Humanities, University of Washington, the Treuman Katz Center for Pediatric Bioethics at Seattle Children’s Research Institute, and Pacific Science Center.

The “Collaborations to Understand Research and Ethics” (CURE) program was supported by a Science Education Partnership Award grant from the National Center for Research Resources and the Division of Program Coordination, Planning, and Strategic Initiatives of the National Institutes of Health through Grant Number R25OD011138.

Student Bio Expo 2012

Unique, Award-Winning Program Showcases Innovative Life Science Projects

May 24th marks the 12^th Student Bio Expo, the culminating event of an innovative year-long science education outreach program.  The Expo engages over 360 area high school students from 19 schools in real-world applications of new frontiers in biology and builds connections between students, teachers, and scientists!

Our Student Bio Expo provides the Seattle-area with one of its few competitive high school science fairs.  However, the Expo is not your usual science fair!  It differs from regular fairs in two main ways.  1)  Students develop projects with the assistance of a mentor scientist over the course of the school year.  2)  Students can enter life-science themed projects in categories as diverse as art, music, drama, writing, and traditional scientific research. By applying their own talents to their projects, students are motivated to see the connection between science and their own lives and interests.

This year, we are excited to announce that Maxine Hayes, MD, MPH, the State Health Officer for the Washington State Department of Health, will provide the keynote address.  Come join us to view the creative projects from this year’s participants.  Sample projects include: a music project on therapy for Alzheimer’s disease, an art project on Synesthesia, a lab research project comparing the genetics of hatchery and natural steelhead, a journalism project on “My family and Tay-Sachs,” and a collaborative project with Kenyan students on malaria.

WHEN:             Wednesday, May 24, 2012

WHERE:           Meydenbauer Conference Center, Bellevue, Washington

AGENDA:

8:15-8:45          Keynote

9:00-11:45        Student Presentations/Judging

12:30-1:00        Special Musical Performances

1:00-2:00          Awards Ceremony

About the Northwest Association for Biomedical Research (NWABR): NWABR is a non-profit that promotes the understanding of biomedical research and its ethical conduct through education and dialogue. Our membership spans academic, industry, non-profit research institutes, health care, and voluntary health organizations. We serve and strengthen our research community, cultivate public understanding and trust in research, inspire students and support excellence in science teaching and foster dialogue about the key role of ethics in biomedical research.

Participating high schools: Ballard HS, Cleveland HS, Eastlake HS, Eastside Catholic HS, Glacier Peak HS, HM Jackson HS, Juanita HS, Kent-Meridian High School, Lynnwood HS, Marysville-Pilchuck HS, Monroe HS, Roosevelt HS, Royal HS, Shorecrest HS, Snohomish HS, The Attic Learning Community, West Seattle HS, W.F. West HS, Woodinville High School

Follow the Expo on twitter: #bioexpo12

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NWABR Research Study Published in PLoS ONE Journal

We are excited to announce that our research study, “Fostering Critical Thinking, Reasoning, and Argumentation Skills through Bioethics Education,” has been published in the journal PLoS ONE.  Our study focused on the impacts of providing structured frameworks for case study analysis and for justification. The results support what we have long observed – when students learn strategies for ethical reasoning, they grow significantly in their ability to develop strong arguments for their positions.

To access the article, please click here

In order to assess the acquisition of higher-order justification skills taught in our Bioethics 101 curriculum, students were asked to analyze a case study and develop a well-reasoned written position. We evaluated statements using a scoring rubric and found highly significant differences (p<0.001) between students exposed to the curriculum strategies and those who were not. Students also showed highly significant gains (p<0.001) in self-reported interest in science content, ability to analyze socio-scientific issues, awareness of ethical issues, ability to listen to and discuss viewpoints different from their own, and understanding of the relationship between science and society. Our results demonstrate that incorporating ethical dilemmas into the classroom is one strategy for increasing student motivation and engagement with science content, while promoting reasoning and justification skills that help prepare an informed citizenry.

The “Collaborations to Understand Research and Ethics” (CURE) program was supported by a Science Education Partnership Award grant (http://ncrrsepa.org) from the National Center for Research Resources and the Division of Program Coordination, Planning, and Strategic Initiatives of the National Institutes of Health through Grant Number R25OD011138. The funders had no role in study design, data

Thank you for Giving BIG on May 2!

Thank you for making The Seattle Foundation’s GiveBIG campaign on May 2nd a success.  The Seattle Foundation raised a total of $7.4 million in 24 hours supporting nonprofits in our community.  We would like to thank you for donating to NWABR and supporting our various education programs including the Student Bio Expo.  We look forward to working with you next year!

Former Expo Winner Awarded Fellowship

Former 2011 Expo winner Elaine Colligan awarded prestigious Mortara Undergraduate Research Fellowship at Georgetown University!

Elaine Colligan, the Global Health Winner from the 2011 Student Bio Expo, was one of three freshmen—and  the only woman—to recently receive a notable Mortara Undergraduate Research Fellowship at Georgetown University. Securing funding for her four undergraduate years, Elaine beat out nearly forty other applicants for these three coveted positions; this year is the first that the School of Foreign Service awarded research grants to freshmen. The Fellows will work 10-15 hours per week. Their wages will increase over the years as they become more experienced.

Elaine attributes some of her success at receiving this scholarship to her experience in the Bio Expo: “Bio Expo was most definitely a worthwhile event. The event exposed me to many facets of science and scientific research I wasn’t aware of before and piqued my current academic interest.” Elaine also relates that “I didn’t find real passion in what I was learning until given the opportunity to research TB from an international affairs – global health – standpoint. The Bio Expo allowed me to integrate many of my areas of interest, like culture, political systems, and environmental heath, into the project, which is why I think it was successful.”

Combining different topics for her Expo project also “prepared [Elaine] to think in interdisciplinary ways during [her] freshman year of college, something [she is] constantly asked to do.” Elaine believes in the importance of supporting the Bio Expo in order to “continue to inspire students and teach this interdisciplinary, critical thinking which is increasingly important in today’s globalized world and in higher education.” As a potential Science, Technology, and International Affairs Major with a certificate on International Development or African Studies, Elaine underscores the importance of multidisciplinary education by her own educational plans.

For a more extensive biography of Elaine Colligan or to see the other Fellows, visit here: http://mortara.georgetown.edu/research/undergrad/.

Elaine is a shining example of how the Expo engages and celebrates students who have yet to find their connection to science. We will continue to feature Expo stories like this one. If you or anyone you know would like to share your Expo story, contact Jenn Pang (jpang@nwabr.org).

GiveBIG on May 2!

On May 2nd, NWABR is participating in The Seattle Foundation’s 24-hour GiveBIG campaign. The campaign aims to inspire donors to give to non-profit organizations who make an impact in our region. Rally your friends and support NWABR!

You may even be lucky enough to win a Golden Ticket. Throughout GiveBIG, a random donor will have an additional $1,000 given to the charity that received their donation.

May 2nd GiveBIG to NWABR!

Youth Ethics Summit–Register today!

April 28th, Seattle BioMed (307 Westlake Ave N.) 9:30-3pm. Free lunch! Register now!

NWABR and Seattle BioMed invite Washington high school students interested in infectious disease and global health to come and join us for this year’s Youth Ethics Summit! Featuring lab tours, hands-on activities, and discussion session with experts, this year’s Summit is bound to be fun and educational.

Youth Ethics Summit: Global Health
Seattle BioMed
307 Westlake Ave N
Seattle, WA 98109

Saturday, April 28th
9:30 am – 3 pm

For more information and a link to register, visit http://nwabr.org/students/youth-ethics-summit or email Program Manager Jenn Pang at jpang@nwabr.org

Seats are limited and are filling up fast!  Registration closes at 5pm this Friday (April 20).

Join Us: May 8 for our next monthly Community Conversation!

Topic: “Is animal research justified?“

A discussion co-facilitated by Cindy Pekow, DVM; Chief, Veterinary Medical Unit, VA Puget Sound and Joan Griswold, MIT; Curriculum Design Lead, NWABR; 2012 Annual Fundraising Dinner Honoree

click here to register

When:   May8, 2012
Time:     Beginning at 5:30 pm, until 7:00 pm
Cost:      $5 at time of Registration
Where:  415 Westlake, Seattle, WA at Kakao Coffee and Chocolate in the South Lake Union neighborhood
Eats:      NWABR-hosted with appetizers and beverages

Learn more about our Community Conversations at our web site, or contact Jen Wroblewski at jenniferw@nwabr.org.  See you there!