|
Educational Outreach Student Programs are designed to provide elementary, middle and high school
students access to a wealth of basic research and clinical science information through hands-on
experiences in the laboratory with cutting-edge scientific techniques. Through these programs, the
UTMB scientific community plays an integral role in enhancing pre-college students’ knowledge about
science and encouraging students to pursue science careers.
Experience science, math and technology-related careers in
hands-on workshops presented by exciting, successful women mentors -
Join in the FUN!
The Saturday Biomedical Science Academy provides 4th -6th grade students with an exciting,
enrichment experience that provides access to a wealth of basic research and clinical science information
through hands-on experiments in chemistry, physics, space science and biology. This program stimulates
student interest and enhances their scientific knowledge as well as enabling an appreciation for how creative,
fun, and relevant science can be to everyday life.
This summer enrichment program for 7th and 8th graders from Galveston County public and private schools
has been in existence since 1993. The program consists of two 4-week sessions
(4 hrs/day) provided each
summer. This program provides a mechanism that allows middle school students to obtain hands-on experience
in a broad range of science activities that will stimulate their knowledge of, appreciation for, and interest
in biology, physics, physiology, health science, technology and related fields. It also increases student
knowledge about the practical application of scientific concepts and principles to everyday life experiences.
Some example activities include: basic chemistry labs, designing and building bottle rockets, egg-drop competition, exploring the
effects of common drugs on Daphnia, isolating DNA from onions, gel
electrophoresis and much more. The goal is to increase the percentage of middle school students entering high school with the motivation and/or scientific background to pursue science
or gain exposure to scientific-related fields. As a major biomedical research and health sciences center, UTMB
is well suited to enhance and foster the teaching of science to local and regional pre-college students.
This summer enrichment program focuses on 9th and 10th grade students in Galveston County public and private
schools. The program consists of two 4-week sessions (4 hours/day) of instructional mini-training lessons derived from major
state-of-the-art molecular and cellular research methodologies. Camp II students are provided
with more independence while working in teams on specific research projects. Typical activities include: basic chemistry labs, mitotic
chromosome preparations, restriction enzyme digestion, Southern
blotting, DNA fingerprinting, DNA sequencing concepts, polymerase
chain reaction and much more. The goal is to increase the percentage
of high school students entering college with the motivation and/or
scientific background to pursue science or gain exposure to
scientific-related fields. As a major biomedical research and health
sciences center, UTMB is well suited to enhance and foster the
teaching of science to local and regional pre-college students.
The student component of the Summer Research Program serves 10th-12th grade students nationwide and provides
a stimulating, hands-on, active experience in scientific research. This increases their familiarity with the
scientific process and stimulates interest in pursuing future careers in research or science teaching. This
program has been existence since 1984 and addresses the critical need in the United States for more
scientists and science teachers. Beginning in 1991, high school teachers have been included. Participants in
the program perform a research project in a UTMB laboratory under the direction of a faculty mentor for 8 weeks
during the summer as a temporary employee. Participants have the opportunity to interact with faculty, graduate
students, post-docs, and others in the program. Through a series of brown bag seminars they learn about different
research projects and a wide variety of health career opportunities. All participants present the results of their
research experience in oral presentations (seminar series) and in the concluding public poster session. In
addition, they present their results when they return to their high schools in the fall.
The annual Undergraduate Research Symposium is sponsored by UTMB's Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences,
and hosted by its Committee for Diversity in Graduate Education and Educational Outreach.
This annual symposium provides students from around the country with the opportunity to discuss their research
experiences, present their findings in a formal setting to fellow students, faculty and staff; and explore their
interest in graduate education by touring the university and interacting with faculty, staff, and currently enrolled
students. This two-day symposium provides an excellent opportunity for students to learn more about UTMB’s many
graduate and summer programs, application processes, assistantships and scholarships as well as the communities
both on and off campus.
The Galveston County Science & Engineering Fair is an annual event that in which more than 200 middle and
high school students explore the wonderful world of science. Sponsored by UTMB, Galveston College, and Texas
A&M University at Galveston, the fair is held on these campuses on alternating years. Participating students
learned to approach their science projects in much the same way as a detective trying to solve a mystery. After
selecting a specific mystery (hypothesis) to solve, students creatively design methods to uncover clues to help
resolve their specific hypotheses. Students present their results formally in poster presentations and faculty,
graduate, medical students, and research personnel serve as judges. Dr. Clifford W. Houston, associate vice
president for educational outreach, is one of three co-chairpersons for this annual event.
(More Information at http://www.tamug.edu/scifair/)
Opportunities in health and biomedical science are growing-- fueled by the rapid advances in technology.
The challenge for those recruiting for such positions is to find the right people with the required skills.
Additionally, there are many other careers that can be pursued that will allow an individual to be connected to
science without directly entering into traditional careers in healthcare and research. UTMB recognizes this critical
need to develop a future health career's workforce. The Pathfinders Program was designed to meet this need and
provides pathways for high school students in Galveston’s public and private schools to explore opportunities in
health-related careers at UTMB. Through tours, presentations and field trips, the program provides access and
exposure to the people and resources that make up a major health science center. Pathfinders also contributes to
workforce development in Galveston and the surrounding communities. Typical activities include visits, presentations,
and hands-on experiences at: the Marine Biomedical Institute, Shriners Burns Hospital; School of Nursing (included state-of-the-art
skills lab); School of Medicine (included gross anatomy lab); Occupational Therapy; Physical Therapy,
and Clinical Laboratory Sciences.
|
