FASEB News - February 16, 2010
FASEB REPORT HIGHLIGHTS EXPERIENCES OF ARRA-FUNDED NIH SUMMER RESEARCH PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS
Bethesda, MD – The Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology (FASEB) has released a report highlighting the outcomes of an American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA)-funded National Institutes of Health (NIH) summer research program, which enabled NIH-funded investigators to provide hands-on research opportunities to over 3,000 students and science teachers in 2009. FASEB’s report, “Stimulating Science Education: NIH Summer Research Program Engages Students and Teachers in Science,” provides a snapshot of the experiences of over 600 program participants. According to the report’s author, Jennifer A. Hobin, Ph.D., “students and teachers were enthusiastic about the experiences they had in the lab, which included a variety of educational and professional development activities in addition to conducting research." Teachers reported that they expected to apply what they learned to their classrooms in the form of new educational content, and students reported a range of benefits from improving their laboratory skills to learning about research careers and gaining self confidence. In addition, many students reported that the experience was important to their decision to pursue further study in science. The report concludes that by investing in the summer research program, NIH "provided valuable employment opportunities to thousands of students and teachers across the country, cultivated interest in science education and careers, enhanced the professional development of science educators, and contributed to the advancement of top-tier research vital to improving the health and well-being of Americans."
The report is available online at:
http://www.faseb.org/Portals/0/PDFs/opa/stimulating%20science%20education%20report.pdf
FASEB is composed of 23 societies with more than 90,000 members, making it the largest coalition of biomedical research associations in the United States. FASEB enhances the ability of biomedical and life scientists to improve—through their research—the health, well-being and productivity of all people. Our mission is to advance health and welfare by promoting progress and education in biological and biomedical sciences through service to our member societies and collaborative advocacy.