Rutgers Youth Enjoy Science Program: Reducing Cancer Health Disparities by Reducing Education Inequities

The goal of the Rutgers Youth Enjoy Science Program (RUYES) is to increase the diversity of the cancer research workforce. RUYES provides hands-on mentored cancer research experience and curriculum development support to high school science teachers. RUYES also engages high school and undergraduate students from underrepresented backgrounds (URG) in mentored cancer research and professional career development activities. Rutgers Cancer Institute faculty members with active, well-funded research programs and extensive mentoring experience serve as research mentors. In addition, RUYES provides support to participants to develop innovative cancer related outreach activities to connect with families and communities of participants. Teachers and students engage in research and program related activities for a total of 12 weeks per year, for two years. Teachers engage in cancer research for eight weeks each for two consecutive summers (sixteen weeks total). Collaborative partnership with Rutgers Office of STEM Educations supports teachers in developing novel instructional approaches that relate to their research experience. Students have the opportunity to conduct cancer research for ten weeks each for two consecutive summers (twenty weeks total). Students receive co-curricular and professional development support throughout their participation. In addition, teachers and students engage in post-summer program engagement for 4 and 2 weeks, respectively. We recruit program participants from all over New Jersey with special emphasis on school districts with high percentages of students from URG. This report details the components of the RUYES program, outcome evaluation plan, successes and challenges, and lessons learned for others interested in establishing similar programs at their institutions.