Cincinnati—University of Cincinnati (UC) College of Medicine has received a grant from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) to help fund science education programs for local middle and high school students and teachers. The College of Medicine was one of 35 biomedical research institutions to receive a grant.

"The $300,000 award will fund the Teachers' Initiative: Program in Biomedical Research, which is an eight-week summer research program for middle and high school science teachers, and the Saturday Science Academy for 7th and 8th grade Cincinnati Public School students," says Roberta Handwerger, director of UC College of Medicine Recruitment Programs. "It will also fund a new five-week summer program in the basic sciences for gifted and talented high school students called Excellence in Science Education and Learning or ExSEL." According to Handwerger, students are selected for the program based on their potential to benefit, academic record, teacher recommendations, and future goals.

"With their wonderful scientists and research facilities, these institutions have proven to be an invaluable resource to schools," said Purnell W. Choppin, HHMI's president. "They have helped large numbers of students and teachers to learn first-hand about the remarkable advances occurring in the biological sciences. With this round of awards, we continue to encourage collaboration among researchers, science educators, students, and families and to expand the opportunities for teachers and students to conduct research alongside real scientists."

The summer programs for this year are full. For information about the programs for next year, call the UC College of Medicine Pathways to Health Careers Office at (513) 558-7212.