Heather W. Allen, Ph.D. Chair, Regional SRC/IRB STEM Education Outreach Programs University of New Mexico Presented At the STEM Educator Professional Development Conference

Presentation and workshop designed to educate middle and high school personnel from schools interested in fielding their own SRC/IRB. Topics focused on: Who needs to be on the committees; Ideas for recruiting committee members; and How to appropriately and thoroughly review student research protocols (human, microorganisms, hazardous “stuff”) for approval prior to the start of data collection. Workshop was hands-on and active with participants learning: What good protocol paperwork looks like; How to do a thorough review and provide constructive feedback to students; and The ins and outs of reviewing case study protocols. The goal of the workshop was to empower schools to create their own SRC/IRB and promote scientific research activities in their science classes.

The safety of student researchers and their research subjects is of the utmost importance. Participation in research projects: Exposes students to issues of ethical risks and potential benefits; Makes students consider humane treatment of humans as well as animals; and Makes them aware of potential legal implications associated with their projects. This workshop was designed to do just that. The intent of the presentation and activities offered was to promote scientific research in middle and high school science classes.

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