Youth Enjoy Science Program at the Case Comprehensive Cancer Center: Increasing Engagement and Opportunity for...

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Research Training
• Cancer Research Education
• Underrepresented Minority (URM) Pipeline Development

Background:

• The Youth Enjoy Science (YES) Program, funded by the National Cancer Institute (NCI), aims to increase college and biomedical career pursuits among URM students.
• The program targets middle school, high school, and college undergraduate students, as well as high school teachers, within Cleveland Metropolitan and surrounding school districts.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the perceptions of the 'Research to Beat Cancer' component of the YES Program.
• To assess the experiences of underrepresented minority (URM) high school and college undergraduate students participating in a summer cancer research program.

Main Methods:

• The study focused on the 'Research to Beat Cancer' program, enrolling 36 URM students as paid summer scholars in 2018.
• Participants received training in laboratory safety, research conduct, and the scientific method, followed by an eight-week immersion in full-time laboratory cancer research.
• Student and mentor perceptions were analyzed using descriptive statistics and qualitative thematic analysis of post-program surveys.

Main Results:

• Sixty-seven percent of students and 53% of mentors completed the post-program survey.
• Qualitative analysis revealed 'opportunity' as a significant theme in both student and mentor feedback.
• The program included weekly 'Lunch and Learn' seminars and a capstone poster session for research dissemination.

Conclusions:

• The 'Research to Beat Cancer' program provides valuable opportunities for URM students in cancer research.
• Student and mentor feedback indicates a positive program experience, highlighting the importance of offered opportunities.
• Future research will explore the long-term impact of the YES Program on college enrollment and career paths.