CCL-IGNITE (IncreasinG RepresentatioN In RehabilItation and CreaTivE Health Professions Research)
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Project Description
Project Narrative To address the critical unmet need for pathways to increase representation in rehabilitation health professions and creative arts therapies (RHP) research, NYU Steinhardt faculty propose to partner with College and Career Lab (CCL) in this R25 application. Our goals are: 1) To develop a novel RHP research pathway targeting middle and high school students who are most impacted by systemic inequities, building on CCL’s robust STEM- mentorship curriculum and our substantial preliminary work, 2) To design and disseminate unique science education resources by partnering with exceptional faculty and near-peer mentors at NYU Steinhardt who will provide wide ranging expertise and mentorship in state-of-the-art RHP research, 3) To leverage the study team’s strengths in education research and NYU Steinhardt’s unique partnerships with the New York City Public School system and deploy a rigorous evaluation.
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Abstract
Project Summary / Abstract In this R25 application, NYU Steinhardt faculty in rehabilitation health professions research (RHP, including physical therapy, occupational therapy, communicative sciences and disorders, music therapy, drama therapy and art therapy) and education research will partner with College and Career Lab (CCL) and create a research pathway, CCL – IncreasinG RepresentatioN In RehabilItation and CreaTivE Health Professions Research, “CCL IGNITE”. Guided by findings from contemporary educational research and substantial preliminary work, CCL- IGNITE will deploy a robust, mentorship-based curriculum designed jointly by educators and researchers at CCL and NYU Steinhardt. The central premise of CCL-IGNITE is that early access, increased resources and sustained engagement will fulfill a critical need for early exposure to RHP research and RHP mentors, and improve educational outcomes in students from groups that are underrepresented in RHP and biomedical research. There are three key novel aspects to CCL-IGNITE. First, we will increase access by designing unique culturally relevant science education and research opportunities in RHP research, and offer increased resources supporting academic and career preparation and offering financial support. Second, CCL-IGNITE will increase engagement by implementing a thoughtful and robust approach to mentorship and the development of RHP identities, one that is supported by our substantial preliminary work. Third, we include a rigorous impact evaluation that overcomes the pitfalls of conventional program assessment. Key outcomes of CCL-IGNITE include: 1) 150 high school students will participate in our summer research pathways and subsequent academic-year practice labs (Immersive Stage). Additionally, 300 middle school students will receive early exposure to RHP and RHP research (Exploratory Stage). 2) Novel RHP research- related science education resources will be developed during the course of this project and disseminated through CCL-IGNITE website and annual dissemination events (including an open house event for public school teachers and a community lab for community based organizations serving low income historically underrepresented middle and high school students in NYC). 3) Evaluation outcomes (short and medium term objective outcomes to assess impact on grades, absenteeism, choice of courses, type of high school applied to; qualitative outcomes for program refinement) will be disseminated in the peer-reviewed scientific literature in the form of manuscripts and conference presentations, and will be used to motivate evidence-based practice. This application has high potential for substantial positive impact as CCL-IGNITE will leverage university- community partnerships in a highly diverse urban area and encourage youth from that are underrepresented in the biomedical and behavioral sciences to pursue further studies and careers in RHP research, consistent with PA-23-137.
