Consortium for Increasing Research and Collaborative Learning Experiences

Project Description

The goal of the CIRCLE program is to create a distance research network that will enhance scientific research interest and skills in underserved communities throughout the US Pacific region in order to strengthen STEM career pathways, expand public knowledge of research and ensure a maximally large and diverse workforce to meet the Pacific’s biomedical, behavioral and clinical research needs.

SPECIFIC AIMS
1) Create and test the infrastructure for distance research collaborations between underserved Pacific locations and 10-15 research sites to come up with best practices for an ongoing distance research network.

2) Develop health science research experiences and research mentorship for 300 underserved 7th to 12th grade students over the five years of grant funding resulting in 80% demonstrating increased interest in science careers.

3) Provide health science career education and mentorship to 300 underserved 7th to 12th grade students to strengthen their interest in biomedical, clinical, and behavioral research with 80% demonstrating increased confidence and tools to pursue health science careers.

Abstract

In order to increase research skills, preparation and access to authentic research experiences for students in Hawaii and the Pacific, the CIRCLE Program will create partnerships between Hawaii and multiple researchers around the US and possibly the world (although only US partnerships funded through SEPA), to create collaborative research projects that students can perform via distance, with a local mentor and a distance research supervisor/mentor. All students will be given age appropriate general research methodology, ethics and safety training, receive badges for their progress through educational steps, will blog and talk monthly about their progress and research findings, and will compete to win spots to travel to national research conferences. CIRCLE students will be part of a research team of collaborators, often with students from other parts of the country. But most importantly, students will be mentored to create their own research questions as they develop the skills to answer them, thus performing authentic research in high school and will be prepared for and connected with college research programs such as IDeA Networks for Biomedical Research Excellence and Undergraduate Research Opportunities Programs.

Dissemination Strategies

International presentations and publications