Encouraging K-12 Students to Give Biostatistics a Chance

TSHS Webinar Summary, by Heather Hoffman, PhD, The George Washington University.

Ms. Marta Shore, Lecturer in the Division of Biostatistics and Health Data Science at the University of Minnesota, moderated a panel discussion with Dr. Anne Eaton, Assistant Professor in the Division of Biostatistics and Health Data Science at the University of Minnesota; Dr. Sarah Samorodnitsky, Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the Fred Hutch Cancer Research Center; Michelle Sonnenberger, PhD Graduate Student in the Division of Biostatistics and Health Data Science at the University of Minnesota; and Dr. Jacqueline Hicks, Clinical Associate Professor in the Department of Biostatistics at the School of Public Health, Boston University. They discussed approaches to diversify K-12 promotion and recruitment as well as collaboration opportunities in this webinar.

University of Minnesota Programs

Ms. Shore introduced the Biostatistics and Heath Data Science Community Outreach and Engagement Committee (BCOE), which began in 2020 at the University of Minnesota to raise awareness of biostatistics as a career among K-12 students. She explained that BCOE consists of faculty, instructors, graduate students, staff, and alumni who meet monthly and hold several events each year.

Ms. Shore then introduced the founder of BCOE, Dr. Samorodnitsky, who discussed their collaborations, including:

·       St. Paul Public Schools, where BCOE helped design a Shiny app on Minnesota air quality for an 8th grade earth science course. More information can be found here.

·       Coon Rapids High School, where BCOE partnered with a senior capstone course called Biomedical Innovations. Here, high school students complete research project using The Islands, and graduate students serve as statistical consultants on study design.

Ms. Sonnenberger and Dr. Eaton then continued with a discussion on some of the BCOE partner local programs and schools, including:

·       Girls, Inc., a nonprofit organization supporting and nurturing career readiness in 6th-12th grade girls. Dr. Eaton explained that BCOE hosted a high school intern for four weeks.

·       St. Paul Public Schools, where they focused on career centered curriculum with teacher externships to learn about public health and career talks in classes.

Dr. Eaton then described how BCOE works with various programs on campus, including:

·       Minnesota Advancing Science, Enhancing Diversity (M-ASCEND), whose goal is to assist in developing cancer-related curriculum materials for teachers and to provide college readiness, mentorship, and cancer research and healthcare career pathways for high school students.

·       Community Outreach, Retention, and Engagement (CORE), whose goal is family engagement in STEM.

·       Beyond Walls: Urban Squash, whose goal is educational enhancement, health and wellness through the sport squash, as well as civic leadership development.

Boston University Programs

Dr. Hicks then introduced the Boston University Upward Bound program. She explained this program started in 1989, and it includes after school tutoring and a 6-week intensive summer program. Dr. Hicks elaborated that the program guides high school students in the Boston region through hands-on and exploratory science activities. She added that the program is cost free to families, and students receive a stipend for their participation.

Dr. Hicks said that Upward Bound consists of faculty in biostatistics, epidemiology, environmental health, and global health, as well as staff and graduate students.

Dr. Hicks explained that Boston University Upward Bound participants collect and analyze data on, for example, noise and air quality pollution at various parks near airports. They learn the basics of biostatistics and generate results using R studio.

How Can You Do This?

Watch the webinar to learn more about how you can do this and what the panelists have learned along the way. Specifically, learn how you can:

·       connect with K-12 students and/or teachers

·       build a team

·       ensure the work is sustainable long term

Additional Resources

·       Learn how to build Shiny apps here.

·       Register for an account on The Islands using this form.

We welcome your thoughts in the comments below.