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PathMaker Bridge Cancer Research Program for Educators

The PathMaker Bridge Summer Research Program for Educators at Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI) is a two-year summer research and curriculum development experience for Utah, Nevada, Montana, Wyoming, and Idaho middle and high school science teachers. Teachers who work with students from underrepresented groups will work in an HCI cancer research laboratory for six weeks during each of two consecutive summers. Participants will translate their experience to the classroom by developing and testing curriculum materials related to their research as appropriate. Prior to and after the six-week experience, teachers will participate in online professional development courses delivered by science education professionals from the University of Utah Genetic Science Learning Center (GSLC). Participants of the PathMaker Bridge program will receive generous financial compensation in addition to 10 credit hours of graduate work per year, thus earning 20 graduate level credits during their two years of participation.

2024 Summer Program Information

Application Deadline:
January 28, 2024

Pre-Research Online Course:
March-May 2024

Research Program Dates:
June 10-July 19, 2024

Post Research Online Course:
August-November 2024

Benefits

  • Financial compensation of $10,800 per year for their successful participation in the before-and-after professional development course and the six-week lab experience
  • 10 credit hours of graduate work per year
  • On-campus housing for participants who live more than a one-hour drive away (limited available)
  • Child care supplements of $400 for eligible teachers (limited available)
  • Travel support for teachers who need financial assistance to travel to and from Salt Lake City and their home for the six-week research experience (only available to participants who stay in on-campus housing)
  • Opportunity to apply for and attend a regional or national conference to present their finished work (all conference expenses and travel will be paid for by the program)
  • Mentorship, improved research skills, and an increased understanding of science, cancer research, and biomedical career options
  • Development of innovative curriculum materials in accordance with the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS)

Eligibility

  • Applicant must be a current middle school or high school teacher employed and engaged in science teaching. Special consideration to Utah, Nevada, Montana, Wyoming, and Idaho teachers.
  • Applicant must be willing to commit to two consecutive years, for an equivalent of at least three months of full-time effort each year, including a six-week lab experience during the summers, plus a pre– and post–research experience professional development program
  • Applicant must be interested in learning more about cancer research.
  • Applicant must demonstrate strong interest in designing innovative curricular activities to engage students in science.
  • Applicant must demonstrate commitment to encouraging students of all backgrounds to pursue science, and, in particular, careers in biomedical research.
  • Special consideration will be given to applicants who are themselves from a historically underrepresented group in biomedical research or who work with large population of students from such groups.
  • Special consideration will be given to teachers from the same district who apply as a pair. Teachers earlier in their careers are encouraged to apply.
  • Applicant must be available to commit 40 hours per work week to the program during the six-week lab experience.

Expectations

Participants must commit 40 hours per week to program activities during their six-week-long individual research experience (lab experience, workshops, and meetings). Participants must attend all pre– and post–research experience online meetings and workshops. Participants must complete the pre- and post- online professional development course. Participants will prepare and present a research poster that summarizes their six-week research experience. Participants will be expected to develop innovative lesson plans based on their research experience with support from the professional development program.

Contact Us

Liz Morales

Program Manager, PathMaker Programs