Overview

Science Achievement in Biology (SABIO) is the San Diego State University model Phase I SEPA [Science Education Partnership Award] training program funded by the National Institutes of Health. The program is a partnership among the College of Sciences, College of Education, the Rees-Stealy Research Foundation, and teachers in the South Bay region involving four San Diego County school districts.

The goal of SABIO is to develop a pipeline training model in the biomedical sciences for K-12 students through teacher development, curriculum enrichment, technology infusion, and parent involvement. To achieve this goal, thirty teachers from four elementary, two middle and two high schools are trained in identical content at SDSU during the summer and the academic year. The teachers are exposed to the same content in lecture/laboratory exercises in anatomy/physiology, molecular biology, and Drosophila genetics. This body of content knowledge is then integrated into the participating elementary, middle and high schools' standards-based curricula. Thus, as students move from elementary to middle and onto high school, they are exposed to a continuum of biological concepts presented by SABIO teachers at each school level.

The success of our SEPA partnership grant requires the cooperation of science teachers, students, school administrators, and parents. In the first year, the primary focus was placed on the development of a stronger content knowledge base for teachers in areas of biology and mathematics. In the second year, the primary focus was placed on student and parent involvement. The program also encourages the development of a site-based leadership team in collaboration with site administrators.

Funded by NCRR - Science Education Partnership Award (SEPA) 1 R25 RR12391-01

Program Components

Four major components are being developed over the three-year grant period:

1. teacher development: 30 Kindergarten-12th grade teachers are being trained in hands-on lecture/laboratory exercises in the areas of cell biology, genetics, and physiology
2. student enrichment: science and math curricula are being enriched as a result of teacher development, and additional science activities are being offered
3. infusion of technology for teachers and students
4. a parent involvement program is being developed aimed at parent participation in student academic achievement.

Major Outcomes

The major desired outcomes of the project are:

1. long-term partnerships between SDSU and teachers in select K-12 schools
2. improved teaching skills in critical gate-keeping courses in cell biology, chemistry, and mathematics
3. the use of current computer technology in classrooms and biological sciences laboratories
4. parents realizing the importance of science training for students
5. an increased number of high school graduates prepared to enter college as highly competitive science major.

Contacts

• Dr. Paul J. Paolini, Interim Principal Investigator,
  (619) 594-4532, ppaolini@sunstroke.sdsu.edu

 

• Dr. Rafaela Santa Cruz, Co-Principal Investigator,
  (619) 594-4522, rsantacruz@mail.sdsu.edu

 

• Douglas M. Burrell, Project Assistant,
  (619) 594-4522, dburrell@sunstroke.sdsu.edu