Speak Up For Research Education Fund

How did science hook you?

Strawberry DNA extraction

Did you have a teacher whose lab was your favorite place to hang out in high school? Were you a biology graduate student who fought for better treatment of animals and found a calling in animal care or health ethics? Did you travel and see suffering that would be diminished with the right vaccination?

I got hooked as a member of the St John Ambulance Brigade in New Zealand where as a teenager I was able to volunteer in ambulances, hospitals and rest homes and saw evolving treatments driven by research.

I’m both excited about science and concerned about its future. I see a growing distrust in biomedical research, waning science literacy and an almost perverse celebration of anti-science sentiments; this all of course at a time when new biomedical research breakthroughs are occurring on a daily basis. Here at NWABR, we see the possibilities of science and are excited by the opportunities for young people to get hooked into fascinating and important science fields—but we also see a gap in the science education for the general public that results in twisted logic, misinformation, hijacked conversations and bad policy decisions.

NWABR bridges that gap, combats that misinformation, and leads spirited and informative conversations about complex issues related to biomedical research.  And we need your help.

Today, I’m asking readers you to join our newest fundraising initiative: the Speak Up For Research Education Fund.  Over the last two years more that 1,400 people have joined NWABR at a series of events:

• Perhaps they volunteered for our popular Bio Expo that engaged close to 700 high school students;
• Or they attended a Community Conversation on the ethics of end of life care, or vaccinations, or direct to consumer genetic testing.
• Perhaps they are a professional dedicated to ethical protections for humans and animals in research and you attended one of our research conferences;
• Or they attended our Security Conference and joined colleagues from across the country who are committed to keeping scientists, their facilities and their work safe.

This campaign to create a Speak Up For Research Education Fund is about protecting the belief and trust in biomedical research and ensuring that this work can continue robustly into the future.

Join the Speak Up For Research Education Fund and make a donation today by visiting:  https://donatenow.networkforgood.org/nwabr?code=Speak%20Up%20For%20Research

Alternatively you can send a contribution to the Northwest Association for Biomedical Research, 2633 Eastlake Ave E., Suite 302, Seattle WA 98102.

All supporters will be thanked by name in our public materials, unless of course they request to make an anonymous contribution.  All contributions will also be acknowledged with a tax deduction receipt.

This is a vital time for science – with the support of the Speak Up For Research Education Fund we can continue and expand the work of engaging students, families and communities with science.  With the support of this fund then one student at a time, one family at a time, one community at a time we will build support for, and trust in, biomedical research.

Thank you for Speaking Up For Research.

Kind Regards

 

Ken Gordon – Executive Director

Northwest Association for Biomedical Research

(P) 206-957-3337 (C) 206-595-2450

 

 

Student Research Fellows East Day 8!

From heath care policy to commercialization to P4 medicine–it was a full day!

Some student quotes:

“I didn’t know how hard it is to start your own business, or patent your inventions. It costs a lot. It was really nice to know that we have foundations to help people get started.”

“If you push yourself to find out, you can find a whole realm of possibilities through the science field.”

“I really enjoyed having Dr. Oliver come talk to us about P4 medicine, and “the cloud” which you can have your medical information looked at by others doctors that you go see.”

View more information on the Summer Student Research Fellows program at NWABR.

This program was supported by a Collaborations to Understand Research and Ethics (CURE), 1R25RR0251131, a Science Education Partnership Award from the National Center for Research Resources. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Center for Research Resources or the National Institutes of Health.

Student Research Fellows East Day 7!

Today we were hosted by the Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist program at Sacred Heart Hospital, then toured PAML, a diagnostics lab.

Some student quotes:

“Today we learned about how there is a lot to learn when putting someone to sleep for surgery. You have to measure your oxygen levels and blood pressure. It was very interesting especially when we made students’ muscles twitch without them doing it.”

“Today I learned how scientists test for STDs and that machines now do most of the testing.”

“There is more to nursing than meets the eye!”

 

View more information on the Summer Student Research Fellows program at NWABR.

This program was supported by a Collaborations to Understand Research and Ethics (CURE), 1R25RR0251131, a Science Education Partnership Award from the National Center for Research Resources. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Center for Research Resources or the National Institutes of Health.

We are hoping that our students…

We are hoping that our students will come away with a better understanding of how drugs and treatments are developed, an appreciation of the value of research for health, and with opportunity to learn about the broad range of career possibilities in biomedical research-related fields. It is very important to us that our students learn how ethics intersects with biomedical research, especially in how research is conducted. They learn about ethical guidelines for research and how those guidelines have been developed. By meeting and interacting with individuals who care for animals needed for research, or who conduct clinical trials of new vaccines, they not only put a human face on research, but they perhaps take one step closer to imagining themselves conducting research.

— Jeanne Ting Chowning, NWABR Director of Education

Student Research Fellows East Day 6!

Human Clinical Trials–the good, the bad, and what it takes to conduct your own.

Some student quotes:

“Today we learned that there are 3 phases to a clinical trial for humans, starting at Phase I with twenty people to Phase III with thousands of people.”

“I learned about how difficult is can be to get into human trials. Consenting is a huge part, that has been abused over the years.”

After determining if we were doing Human Subjects Research with an IRB checklist, we looked at a consent form to participate in a lung capacity study.

“Did you know you can actually measure your lung capacity? How cool is that?”

View more information on the Summer Student Research Fellows program at NWABR.

This program was supported by a Collaborations to Understand Research and Ethics (CURE), 1R25RR0251131, a Science Education Partnership Award from the National Center for Research Resources. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Center for Research Resources or the National Institutes of Health.

Student Research Fellows East Day 5!

Genetic testing, the genetic basis of disease such as sickle-cell anemia, being Dr. Detectives with Dr. Oliver, AND new lab coats.

Some student quotes:

“I learned so much more about sickle-cell anemia. We also dressed as sophisticated researchers with our spiffy lab coats.”

“I learned about genetic testing. It can be used to determine which diseases you are most susceptible to.”

“We got to work with a sheep’s heart, and I gained a new respect for heart surgeons (some of the blood vessels are TINY!).”

View more information on the Summer Student Research Fellows program at NWABR.

This program was supported by a Collaborations to Understand Research and Ethics (CURE), 1R25RR0251131, a Science Education Partnership Award from the National Center for Research Resources. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Center for Research Resources or the National Institutes of Health.

Student Research Fellows East Day 4!

Today we took a road trip to the College of Veterinary Medicine at Washington State University in Pullman.

Some student quotes:

“I learned how to prepare for surgery”

“I learned about all the different things a veterinarian does. I also learned about how much blood a horse’s heart pumps when it runs.”

“I learned that a horse’s maximum heart rate is 220-250 beats per minute. We actually got to see a horse on a treadmill.”

“We also learned about the WSU dairy farm and got to see new calves.

“Miguel was really cool.”

Thank you Mr. Inzunza and WSU!

View more information on the Summer Student Research Fellows program at NWABR.

This program was supported by a Collaborations to Understand Research and Ethics (CURE), 1R25RR0251131, a Science Education Partnership Award from the National Center for Research Resources. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Center for Research Resources or the National Institutes of Health.

Student Research Fellows East Day 3!

Dr. Marsh

STUDENT QUOTES OF THE DAY

“After hearing Dr. Marsh, Heidi, Will and Michele’s experiences with experimenting with rats and the close regulations around it, I felt better about using animals for research.”

“Research on mice is done with the best care and benefits both humans and animals.”

“We learned about animal roles  in research. I personally don’t really support it but it’s cool to see what they can do with the animals.”

3rs

View more information on the Summer Student Research Fellows program at NWABR.

This program was supported by a Collaborations to Understand Research and Ethics (CURE), 1R25RR0251131, a Science Education Partnership Award from the National Center for Research Resources. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Center for Research Resources or the National Institutes of Health.

Student Research Fellows East Day 2!

“Today we learned about what nurses had to go through to be certified. It was cool looking in at the simulation labs because it looked useful for the future when doing practices on real patients….though those mannequins were creepy.” –Candace

“I learned about absolute and relative ignorance. Like the fact that absolute ignorance is when no one knows the answer to a question [like in scientific research] and relative ignorance is when a person know an answer but other people do.” — Heather

Dr. Banasik's Blood Draw

Dr. Banasik showed us how patients get blood drawn for her study on addiction. We spun the blood in a centrifuge to see how it separates.

Kitty litter in the lab? Kendra finds out it is part of a spill kit. Absorbancy is good.

Kendra with Kitty Litter: For cats, or lab spills?

WSU School of Nursing, here we are!

View more information on the Summer Student Research Fellows program at NWABR.

This program was supported by a Collaborations to Understand Research and Ethics (CURE), 1R25RR0251131, a Science Education Partnership Award from the National Center for Research Resources. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Center for Research Resources or the National Institutes of Health.

Student Research Fellows East Day 1!

Micropipetting Machine

What a great group of students from the Spokane area–and what a day!

“We learned how to determine if a question is ethical. We also learned how to use an assortment of new tools–sequencing DNA.” – Kelsey

“We were future CSI trainees.” – Habeebah

CSI Spokane

Dr. Sylvia Oliver taught us how to use micropipettes and run gel electrophoresis boxes to find out if a horrendous crime was committed to cover up the kidnapping of a baby.

The DNA doesn’t lie!

Stained with Cyber Gold, visible under UV light

How much is a million?

Jason and Vlad Find One in a Million

The Big Find: See it? The little black bead right in the middle? That's it!

View more information on the Summer Student Research Fellows program at NWABR.

This program was supported by a Collaborations to Understand Research and Ethics (CURE), 1R25RR0251131, a Science Education Partnership Award from the National Center for Research Resources. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Center for Research Resources or the National Institutes of Health.

Jeanne Chowning Presents an NSTA Webinar on Teaching About Stem Cells

Today at 3:30 pm PST, 6:30 pm EST, Jeanne Chowning presents a webinar on teaching “The Science and Ethics of Stem Cell Research” at the high school level.

Click here for more information and to register for the webinar.

This seminar will explore the science behind stem cells as well as ethical implications of embryonic stem cell research. Teachers will be provided with an overview of the popular resource on stem cell science and ethics geared towards secondary science classrooms, developed by NWABR.

The unit begins with a laboratory examination of planaria as a model organism for understanding stem cell biology. It provides engaging activities that highlight early embryonic development and compare and contrast different types of stem cells. Additional activities focus on the bioethical dimensions of stem cell research, including the variety of positions held by different stakeholders in the stem cell debate.

A Socratic Seminar allows students to discuss the role of public funding for stem cell research. The culminating assessment provides an opportunity for students to either prepare a letter to the President’s Bioethics Commission or propose a grant to fund research for a specific disease or disorder.

Click here to download a copy of the PowerPoint presentation for the webinar.

Jeanne Ting Chowning, MS is Director of Education at NWABR. The text of this blog post is based on the webinar description published at the page this link points to, by The NSTA Learning Center.