PGE/SEP: Bioinformatics Initiative for High School Students

Immaculata University, Immaculata PA

Investigators

Abstract

Abstract This summer initiative will familiarize selected high-school students with Bioinformatics, an increasingly important field with strong potential for growth in the coming decades. This course is oriented toward female high school students. This program will be offered in the summer of 2001, and will be open to qualified young women who have just completed their third year of high school. Particular encouragement will be given to young women who are members of minority groups; who are from low-income families; and who lack strong role models in science and technology. Upon conclusion of the program, the participants will be able to: - Describe, apply, and analyze principles of molecular biology; - Use the Internet, Microsoft Office, and Bioinformatics tools; - Use problem-based learning techniques; - Distinguish the outcomes of their data entries and manipulations; - Comprehend Bioinformatics as a field of study; - Know the roles that women can achieve in science and information technology; and - Value group process as a means of learning . In the program, participating young women will live on campus during the five-week program period; take courses during the day; participate in hands-on lab work; work together as members of small teams; benefit from presentations from and discussions with working professionals in the field; and travel to pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, government laboratories, and other sites to complement their coursework, and learn how Bioinformatics is used in the scientific field. The program will use the NSF-funded Biology Student Workbench (BSW) program as the part of the curriculum, and the program organizers will work closely with the staff of that project in order to implement it appropriately. Using a problem-based learning approach, the investigators will teach via student-centered group interaction, and will create specific scenarios for student research. The program will be designed to encourage young women to pursue Bioinformatics as a field of study, and ultimately as a profession. Participants will strengthen their general computer skills and their ability to use the Internet as an interactive tool. By working in teams they will increase their problem solving abilities, communication skills and ability to interact with others. Upon conclusion of the program, information will be disseminated to encourage the replication of the program at other sites nationwide through presentations and publications, as well as work with BioQuest and the Biology Student Workbench team. The program organizers except to extend the benefits to other high school students and teachers, and encourage many young women to enter computer technology, mathematics, and science fields.