Jackson State University Science Education Partnership Program

Posted on November 30, 2015, updated on August 21, 2018

Project Website(s)

  • Project Description

    To collaborate with Jackson Public Schools (JPS) to develop an enhanced course of studies that will integrate an inquiry-based “Biomedical Faces of Science” (BFS) supplemental curriculum into the health-related curriculum to stimulate the interest of K-12 students in the scientific processes involved in basic biomedical and clinical research To increase the number of underrepresented minority and underserved students who enter science education tracks that lead to careers in the biomedical sciences and in the health professions To promote health improve quality of life and address health inequalities in underrepresented minorities through service learning outreach and information sharing and enhanced education in the biomedical sciences

  • Abstract

    Mississippi has the twin distinctions of being both the poorest and most disease-prone state in the nation. The state has the lowest per capita income and the highest death rate from cardiovascular disease the leading cause of death across the state. More Mississippians die each year from cardiovascular disease than from traffic injuries cancer suicides and AIDS combined. African Americans living in Mississippi face a significantly increased risk of dying prematurely of developing major chronic diseases and of experiencing poorer health care compared to any other racial or ethnic group in the state. Jackson State University an historically Black university is committed to addressing and ultimately eliminating racial-ethnic inequalities in health and health care in Mississippi. JSU is forming a partnership with Jackson Public Schools to implement the Early College High School (ECHS) at Bailey Magnet High School an innovative five-year educational program that will develop a cadre of students who are informed of the major health care disparities equipped to effect change in their communities and focused on professional careers in biomedical sciences. An inquiry-based multimedia program “Biomedical Faces of Science” will be developed. A strong professional development component for teachers will be implemented. A unique service-learning program will be developed and scholarly summer research experiences will be offered to select students to ensure the success of this program. At the end of the five-year project the BFS program will be licensed to a private-sector company to further market it to the state and the rest of the nation thus ensuring that the program is broadly disseminated further closing the gap in health care disparities and addressing the lack of involvement in biomedical science among minorities.

  • Dissemination Strategies

    An inquiry-based multimedia program “Biomedical Faces of Science” will be developed A strong professional development component for teachers will be implemented A unique service-learning program will be developed and scholarly summer research experiences will be offered to select students to ensure the success of this program The knowledge students will gain from participating in this project will provide them with a foundation for articulating and disseminating health disparities information. The Jackson State University partnership with Jackson Public Schools to implement the Early College High School (ECHS) at Bailey Magnet High School is an innovative five-year educational program that will develop a cadre of students who are informed of the major health care disparities equipped to effect change in their communities and focused on professional careers in biomedical sciences.

  • Project Evaluation(s)

    Evaluation Plan – The SEPA Evaluation Model consists of several components which include: Objectives that are achievable Expected outcomes that include program activities developed to produce measurable results which meet the stated goals and objectives and performance indicators that reflect the expected results needed for the successful achievement of the objective Actual outcomes (actual results are compared to expected results) that consist of data collected to measure the level of change that has occurred resulting from activities associated with the objectives Evaluation Goals and Design – The JSU SEPA program will be evaluated using a systematic approach employed in outcome evaluation where the major focus is determining the level of success the program has achieved with respect to reaching its long-term intended goals and objectives. Outcome evaluation reveals the results obtained from quantitative and qualitative data collected to measure expected outcomes against actual outcomes. Evaluation Design: The SEPA evaluation design strategy consists of analyzing the achievable objectives; developing activities with associated performance indicators; and utilizing a process for collecting analyzing and interpreting data required to measure the project outcomes. The findings will indicate the level of success and effectiveness of the SEPA program. Additionally a pre-test and post-test design will be used to measure the outcomes of the summer research component and the integration component. Instruments and Data Collection – The instruments developed and administered to participants in the SEPA program include tools designed to assess the attitudes perceptions and beliefs of participants toward the SEPA program. Referenced and non-referenced test observation checklist focused group sessions and interviews will serve as mechanisms for ascertaining the knowledge participants in the various activities associated with the program. Descriptive statistics will be used to analyze the data for determining the level and degree to which the goals and objectives have been accomplished. The findings will be data-driven and reported according to traditional methods of evaluation. Qualitative and quantitative data will be collected for each measurable indicator of the objectives for the various components of the program. Results of Data Analysis – The results of data analysis provide an interpretation of the findings obtained from formative and summative evaluations. They assist the SEPA project director and activity coordinators in making indicated modifications revisions and changes in the program. Additionally it will provide impact and outcome information essential to the future success of the program.

  • Resources for Sharing

    The Early College High School (ECHS) which represents a partnership between Jackson State University (JSU) and Jackson Public Schools (JPS) will be the venue for implementation of the JSU SEPA Program. The ECHS students will participate in the service learning component the teachers and students will be ambassadors to the community for the outreach and information sharing component; and the “Biomedical Faces of Science” multimedia supplemental curriculum component will be integrated into the ECHS curriculum (and correlated to the State of Mississippi Science Standards).

Project Audience

The Jackson State University (JSU) Science Education Partnership Award (SEPA) Program will focus on students as the ultimate health messengers who will educate the community on health disparities and work toward improved health outcomes. In addition the multimedia tools developed in this program will provide high school teachers with tools to empower students with the knowledge and experience to participate in service learning activities in community organizations that have a mission of eliminating health disparities.

Subjects Addressed

African Americans living in Mississippi face a significantly increased risk of dying prematurely of developing major chronic diseases and of experiencing poorer health care compared to any other racial or ethnic group in the state.