Can medical schools teach high school students to be scientists?

Full Abstract

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.

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Author information

Author/s: Rosenbaum, James T (JT); Martin, Tammy M (TM); Farris, Kendra H (KH); Rosenbaum, Richard B (RB); Neuwelt, Edward A (EA);

Affiliation: Oregon Health and Science University, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Rd. L467Ad, Portland, OR 97239, USA. rosenbaj(-atsign-)ohsu.edu

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Journal: The FASEB journal : official publication of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology (FASEB J), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2007-Jul; vol 21 (issue 9) : pp 1954-7

Dates: Created 2007/06/26; Completed 2007/08/15;

PMID: 17351126, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 12/26/2008)

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Adolescent
Curriculum
Data Collection - statistics & numerical data
Female
Humans
Male

Oregon
Parkinson Disease
Program Evaluation
Schools, Medical
Science - education
Students - psychology

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