Bonnie Kaiser presents Rockefeller Outreach Program at NYAS
by Irma S. Jarcho
On Friday, 5 December 1997, Dr. Bonnie Kaiser, Director of the Rockefeller University Science Outreach Program, presented the work done by the Program to the Science Education Section of the New York Academy of Sciences. Each summer some 50 to 90 high school juniors and seniors are matched with scientists of the University to gain laboratory experience. The most remarkable feature of the program, to me, is that about five K-12 teachers are accepted each year and they work with the scientists in the same laboratories and do the same research that the students carry out. Teachers must sign up for two consecutive summers and translate their experiences into active learning for their students and colleagues.
This is a stunningly successful program, as Kaiser made clear in her presentation. Over half of the students are girls, and one fourth are minority students. Every year 10% become Westinghouse Science Talent Search semifinalists and some go on to become finalists and winners.
Kaiser enhanced her presentation by calling up a group of participants in the Program. These included a student from Stuyvesant High School, Stanley Lewis, who explained the work he is doing on global warming. John Cunningham, who teaches at John Jay High School, brought his work at the Obesity Research Laboratory to the Forensic Laboratory at his high school. Two post-doctoral fellows, Dr. Michele Blum and Dr. Manji Hingoram, also spoke of their work.
The teachers in the program form a very close-knit group, as I know from my close acquaintance with two teachers in the Program. Teachers must develop units which they use in their schools and present at monthly meetings, which are a very strong feature of the Program.
If you or one of your students is interested in research opportunities, contact Dr. Kaiser at Rockefeller University, 1230 York Avenue, New York, NY 10021-6399, about applying for the Program.
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