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Development of an innovative educational program integrating science and technology for high school biology students
Author(s) -
Lu Lucy,
Ni Amy,
Phan Laura,
Shanmuganatha Gajanth,
Johnson Jo Ann,
Staggers Barbara,
Wakimoto Patricia
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.20.5.a855-a
Subject(s) - creativity , center of excellence , presentation (obstetrics) , excellence , medical education , set (abstract data type) , mathematics education , psychology , pedagogy , computer science , medicine , political science , social psychology , database , law , radiology , programming language
The purpose of this research project is to develop and deliver a youth‐driven innovative science and nutrition education program for high school biology students in an underserved community. Complex scientific concepts are presented in a fun, entertaining, and easily understandable way to high school students. Using a variety of technology‐based presentation methods and assignments, the students learn about nutrition, genes and website building. They will use their knowledge and creativity to create a “Kids’ Nutrigenomics” Website targeted to middle school students. Project coordinators set up a Yahoo! Groups site to organize the various presentations and handouts for convenient access by the participants. The web‐based assignments develop the youth's online researching abilities and stimulate their creativity and self‐expression in making their own science‐based websites. This innovative and interactive approach facilitates independent learning and critical thinking skills. Concurrently, the program allows assessment of their responses to the current website's content and visuals. The project nurtures and expands their current interest in science, nutrition and technology. The project is a collaborative effort of the Castlemont High School, YouthUprising Center, NIH Center for Minority Health Disparities Center for Excellence in Nutritional Genomics and the UC Berkeley Undergraduate Research Apprentice Program. This research was funded in part by NIH Center for Minority Health Disparities Grant Center # P60MD00222.