NIH Science Education Leader Visits Children’s National
June 28, 2013
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
About Children's National Health System
Children’s National Health System, based in Washington, D.C., has served the nation’s children since 1870. Children’s National is one of the nation’s Top 5 pediatric hospitals and, for a second straight year, is ranked No. 1 in newborn care, as well as ranked in all specialties evaluated by U.S. News & World Report. It has been designated two times as a Magnet® hospital, a designation given to hospitals that demonstrate the highest standards of nursing and patient care delivery. This pediatric academic health system offers expert care through a convenient, community-based primary care network and specialty outpatient centers in the D.C. Metropolitan area, including the Maryland suburbs and Northern Virginia. Home to the Children’s Research Institute and the Sheikh Zayed Institute for Pediatric Surgical Innovation, Children’s National is the seventh-highest NIH-funded pediatric institution in the nation. Children’s National is recognized for its expertise and innovation in pediatric care and as a strong voice for children through advocacy at the local, regional and national levels.
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