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NIH Science Education Leader Visits Children's National

Washington, DC—Children’s National Medical Center welcomed special guest Bruce A. Fuchs, PhD, Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Office of Science Education, at a June 28 event capping two weeks of science education programs for area teachers and students. The celebration included the Dr. Bear’s Cub Summer Science Experience Student Awards Ceremony and Dr. Bear’s Summer Training Institute.

As part of its commitment to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education, Children’s National hosted the two programs this week in support of the Being Me project. Being Me is a collaboration of Children’s National and the National Children’s Museum.

Participating students had the chance to attend Dr. Bear’s Cub Summer Science Experience—a special, invitation-only science camp. The week-long camp is hosted at Children’s National with significant input and support from the National Children’s Museum. The student “scientists” meet doctors, nurses and researchers, and they work with other students and high school volunteers on fun, educational science projects.

Science and elementary school teachers at Being Me partner schools in the District of Columbia and Prince George’s County attended Dr. Bear’s Summer Training Institute. This one-week training program facilitates and supports delivery of the Being Me curriculum.

“We’re delighted and honored to have Dr. Fuchs visit with our student scientists, staff, and volunteers who support this important program,” said Naomi L. C. Luban, MD, Principal Investigator and Vice Chair for Academic Affairs at the Children’s Research Institute of Children’s National. “The Being Me program works to get kids excited about science, which is vital for their education, and we hope it encourages them to become physician scientists, technologists, and engineers and to advance the health of our communities.

Accompanying Dr. Fuchs at the celebration was L. Tony Beck, PhD, Program Officer for the NIH Science Education Partnership Award (SEPA) Program, which helps advance knowledge of medical science and clinical research among the general public, including children.

The Being Me project, funded through a five-year SEPA grant, is developing a curriculum that includes art-based and hands-on learning for students, parents and teachers in three - soon to be five - area schools. The project covers five core health topics: asthma, bullying, obesity, sickle cell disease, and sleep.

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Contact: Emily Hartman or Paula Darte, 202-476-4500

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