Present at this training were 26 science teachers from 14 different Intermediate Schools from the Puerto Rico
Department Education. Principal Investigator Dr. Emma Fernández-Repollet with the teachers.
The BREP program launched their BioMed Battle Team websites with a 3 days training given at the UPR Medical Sciences Campus during the month of July 2004. Participating at this training were 26 science teachers from 14 different Intermediate Schools from the Puerto Rico Department Education.
This network of websites will provide a unique tool to teachers and investigators participating in the BREP program. Moreover, the potential to disseminate information and materials related to biomedical research, develop by the BREP, should increase exponentially. The content and final format of the website will be determined after receiving the input of students, teachers, investigators and parents.
Ms. Brenda Nieves was in charge of all the training related to website creation, management and maintenance.
Training was given at the RCM Computer Center which provided the facilities needed for the hands on training experience.
Ms. Brenda Nieves, Investigative Computation System Coordinator, from the RCMI Program at the Medical Sciences Campus, organized and conducted the training activities related to website creation, management and maintenance. Training was given at the MSC Computer Center which provided the facilities needed for the hands-on training experience. Each teacher had the opportunity to enter preliminary data in their own web pages and see the results instantly. Ms. Nieves was able to answer questions and provide individualized assistance at special discussion sessions.
Science High School teacher, Carmen Fernández, M.Ed., gave lectures on how to utilize the BioMed Battle Team Science Clubs as an extracurricular activity to encourage students to pursue a career in the biomedical sciences. Mr. Felipe Padilla, BREP Research Education Administrator, discussed the goals and objectives that the BREP program wants to achieve with the development of this networking tool. Participating teachers provided excellent feedback and a better understanding of their needs and those of the students. Brainstorming sessions were used to stimulate discussions, identify challenges, and debate possible solutions.
Dr. Emma Fernández-Repollet, PI Investigator of the PR-BREP
during a question and answer session with the teachers.
Principal Investigators, Dr. Fernández-Repollet and Dr. Abe Schwartz, welcomed the teachers to the program and emphasized the use of informal education and recreational learning tools to stimulate the interest of students in biomedical research throughout the schools in the Island.
The BREP Program thanks Ms. Zenaida Ledesma from Oficina de Alianza Corporativa Pro-Educación and Dra. María Elena Morán, Director of the Puerto Rico Department of Education Science Program for their continuous support.
