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Can medical schools teach high school students to be scientists?
Author(s) -
Rosenbaum James T.,
Martin Tammy M.,
Farris Kendra H.,
Rosenbaum Richard B.,
Neuwelt Edward A.
Publication year - 2007
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/fj.06-7845lsf
Subject(s) - class (philosophy) , club , health science , medical school , mathematics education , medical education , rank (graph theory) , science education , psychology , medicine , mathematics , computer science , combinatorics , artificial intelligence , anatomy
The preeminence of science in the United States is endangered for multiple reasons, including mediocre achievement in science education by secondary school students. A group of scientists at Oregon Health and Science University has established a class to teach the process of scientific inquiry to local high school students. Prominent aspects of the class include pairing of the student with a mentor;use of a journal club format; preparation of a referenced, hypothesis driven research proposal; and a “hands‐on” laboratory experience. A survey of our graduates found that 73% were planning careers in health or science. In comparison to conventional science classes, including chemistry, biology, and algebra, our students were 7 times more likely to rank the scientific inquiry class as influencing career or life choices. Medical schools should make research opportunities widely available to teenagers because this experience dramatically affects one's attitude toward science and the likelihood that a student will pursue a career in science or medicine. A federal initiative could facilitate student opportunities to pursue research.–Rosenbaum, J. T., Martin, T. M., Farris, K. H., Rosenbaum, R. B., Neuwelt, E. A. Can medical schools teach high school students to be scientists? FASEB J. 21, 1954–1957 (2007)