The College of Veterinary Medicine at Cornell University proposes a joint program for disadvantaged high school students and high school teachers who teach a significant number of disadvantaged students. The summer research program for high school students will replace our Research Apprentice Program, which has been funded by the NIH since 1981. Its goal will continue to be to enhance interest in, and awareness of, biomedical science with particular emphasis on veterinary medicine and research. Ten high school students will work for six weeks on various research projects under the mentorship of a faculty member. Mentors have been selected on the basis of their commitment to precollege science education, their previous successful contributions to the program and/or the breadth of research opportunities that they offer. The research projects include: molecular biology, infectious diseases, reproductive biology, epidemiology, exercise physiology, biomechanics, toxicology, cell biology, animal behavior, parasitology, immunology, nutritional biochemistry, genetic diseases and cardiac physiology. In addition, the students will attend lectures and demonstrations on various aspects of veterinary medicine with other high school students. Advising sessions will be held on post-secondary education, including choice of college and major, preparing a successful application, ways to continue to be involved in research at college, and other matters of interest to a college-bound student. The students will also participate in a weekly workshop with the Program Director to discuss how research is conducted, ethical issues, and how their own research projects contribute to advancing knowledge in the field. As part of this workshop, they will write a paper in the style of a scientific publication describing their research. At the end of the program students will give a 10-15 minute presentation on their research. Two high school teachers will participate in the program for four weeks each summer. In addition to working in a research laboratory, the teachers will participate in the Cornell Institute for Biology Teachers (CIBT). This includes lectures on molecular biology, and laboratories designed for high schools. The teachers will receive a computer and modem and will participate in computer workshops. They will return to their classrooms with more than ten innovative laboratory exercises and funds (from CIBT) to purchase supplies for their high school laboratories. They will join an ongoing support network between Cornell University faculty and other high school teachers, and will have access to an equipment lending library. Since participants will probably be living away from home, accommodation will be provided in Cornell residence halls. The students will receive room and board, which will be subsidized from other funds, and will be housed together with other high school students attending Cornell Summer College. The teachers will be housed with other teachers participating in the CIBT summer institute. A variety of educational, cultural, recreational and social events at Cornell will also be available to both students and teachers during the summer.
