[Source: Jeffery Trent: My Turn, The Arizona Republic] – The Translational Genomics Research Institute helps Arizona students pursue a lifetime of science learning
Recently published results from this spring’s first science test administered by Arizona’s Instrument to Measure Standards (AIMS) showed only 38 percent of Arizona high-school students passed.
Without judging the validity or necessity of AIMS or its pilot science program, there is substantial evidence that Arizona’s and America’s schoolchildren are lagging behind much of the developed world in science instruction
The most recent international comparisons published by the U.S. Department of Education show that American 15-year-olds ranked 29th of 57 nations surveyed in science literacy.
But it doesn’t have to be that way. Science doesn’t have to be a chore. As science advocates from Carl Sagan, Mr. Wizard (Don Herbert) and Bill Nye, the Science Guy, have shown, science can be fun – even hip.
Organizations such as Yale’s Women in Science and the Howard Hughes Medical Institute have mentoring programs that show early exposure to the process of discovery can pay lifetime dividends in commitment and knowledge.
To sustain Arizona’s growing biotechnology industry, it is important to understand the impact of science in our lives; on decisions with profound implications for issues as varied as climate change, health care and the economy.
Scientific literacy is key to understanding today’s technologically advanced world. And providing for the needs of scientifically empowered citizens begins with education.
One way to foster learning and develop a love of science is internship programs, in which experts mentor students who are immersed in scientific inquiry and the creation of new insights.
TGen hosts the Helios Scholars Program, which recently received $6.5 million to fully fund the program for 25 years from the Phoenix-based Helios Education Foundation.
Each summer, 45 Helios Scholars participate in eight-week internships. TGen scientist-mentors actively engage high school, undergraduate and graduate students in research projects, including new ways to treat cancer, diabetes, autism and Alzheimer’s disease.
These programs work. Some of TGen’s interns include: