Ralph L Cordell1, Kelly L Cordeira2, Laurence P Cohen2, Diana M Bensyl3. 1. Division of Scientific Education and Professional Development, Center for Surveillance, Epidemiology and Laboratory Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta GA. Electronic address: rcordell@cdc.gov. 2. Division of Scientific Education and Professional Development, Center for Surveillance, Epidemiology and Laboratory Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta GA. 3. Division of Global Health Protection, Center for Global Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta GA.
Abstract
PURPOSE: This report describes Centers for Disease Control and Prevention programs that expose students to epidemiology and public health sciences (EPHS). METHODS: The Science Ambassador workshop targets middle and high school teachers and promotes teaching EPHS in the classroom. The National Science Olympiad Disease Detectives event is an extracurricular science competition for middle and high school students based on investigations of outbreaks and other public health problems. The Epidemiology Elective Program provides experiential learning activities for veterinary and medical students. RESULTS: As of 2016, 234 teachers from 37 states and territories and three other countries participated in SA workshops. Several are teaching units or entire courses in EPHS. The National Science Olympiad Disease Detectives event exposed approximately 15,000 middle and high school students to EPHS during the 2015-2016 school year. The Epidemiology Elective Program has exposed 1,795 veterinary and medical students to EPHS. CONCLUSIONS: Students can master fundamental concepts of EPHS as early as middle school and educators are finding ways to introduce this material into their classrooms. Programs to introduce veterinary and medical students to EPHS can help fill the gap in exposing older students to the field. Professional organizations can assist by making their members aware of these programs. Published by Elsevier Inc.
PURPOSE: This report describes Centers for Disease Control and Prevention programs that expose students to epidemiology and public health sciences (EPHS). METHODS: The Science Ambassador workshop targets middle and high school teachers and promotes teaching EPHS in the classroom. The National Science Olympiad Disease Detectives event is an extracurricular science competition for middle and high school students based on investigations of outbreaks and other public health problems. The Epidemiology Elective Program provides experiential learning activities for veterinary and medical students. RESULTS: As of 2016, 234 teachers from 37 states and territories and three other countries participated in SA workshops. Several are teaching units or entire courses in EPHS. The National Science Olympiad Disease Detectives event exposed approximately 15,000 middle and high school students to EPHS during the 2015-2016 school year. The Epidemiology Elective Program has exposed 1,795 veterinary and medical students to EPHS. CONCLUSIONS: Students can master fundamental concepts of EPHS as early as middle school and educators are finding ways to introduce this material into their classrooms. Programs to introduce veterinary and medical students to EPHS can help fill the gap in exposing older students to the field. Professional organizations can assist by making their members aware of these programs. Published by Elsevier Inc.
Entities:
Keywords:
Curricula; Education; Epidemiology; Public health; Teaching
Authors: Jonathon P Leider; Brian C Castrucci; Christine M Plepys; Craig Blakely; Emily Burke; James B Sprague Journal: Public Health Rep Date: 2015 Jan-Feb Impact factor: 2.792