This subproject is one of many research subprojects utilizing the resources provided by a Center grant funded by NIH/NCRR. The subproject and investigator (PI) may have received primary funding from another NIH source, and thus could be represented in other CRISP entries. The institution listed is for the Center, which is not necessarily the institution for the investigator. Project Summary: The Rural Alaska Honors Institute (RAHI) (www.uaf.edu/rahi) was organized in 1982 at the request of the Alaska Federation of Natives (AFN) and others, to better prepare rural Alaska Native high school students to succeed in college. This summer residential bridging program for high school seniors and rising freshmen assists students from Rural Alaska to make the academic and social transition between high school and college. Admission to RAHI is competitive; full scholarships cover all summer program expenses including travel, room, board, supplies and tuition for up to 9 college credits. Rigorous academic activity combines with social, cultural and recreational activities for early preparation for college. Students are treated as honors students and are purposely stretched beyond their comfort levels academically and socially to prepare for the step from home or village to a culturally western urban campus. INBRE chose to add to this well-known, successful, respected bridging program, rather than to compete with it by developing a similar program. In summer 2004, INBRE sponsored full summer scholarships for seven additional students (all Alaska Native rising freshmen). In summer 2003, INBRE sponsored development of a new course, CHEM 195, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology in the Modern World, a four credit class with laboratory. The two Alaska Native women UAF graduates in chemistry who developed the course in 2003 have moved on, one to pursue a Ph.D. in pharmacology at Stanford and one to full time high school science teaching. In 2004, the 12 students in the class were taught by a post-doctoral fellow and a grad student from the Dept. of Chemistry and Biochemistry. New elements continue to be added to the class. For example, in 2005, several labs will be held in the Arctic Region Super computing Center?s Discovery Lab in the Rasmuson Library (a Virtual Reality immersive environment Mechdyne MD Flex? system). The room is equipped to display stereoscopic images to allow students to virtually immerse themselves in biochemistry. RAHI staff report over 750 RAHI alumni. Over 60% have entered four-year college programs. Most alumni attend UAF; others select schools outside the state. Some are in graduate school, including medical and law schools. More complete statistics on alumni are being compiled by RAHI staff who will be tracking the 2003 and 2004 cohorts, including students supported by INBRE.
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