Biology students from Great Valley School District were at the UPMC Brain Institute in Pittsburgh as they continue to participate in Beating the Odds Foundation’s STEM initiative with the University of Pittsburgh Brain Institute.
Beating the Odds Foundation partners with organizations such as UPMC to create unique STEM opportunities for students. Students not only learn the STEM side of the project, but they also learn how the organization such as UPMC uses the Stepping Stones to Success to achieve their goals as an organization. Students get to see first hand how dreams & goals, resource review, team support, decisions and plans, and a positive mental attitude are crucial to an organization’s success. Students also get to meet individuals that work for the organization and learn of their personal stories. For this particular project, students work side by side with physicians and researchers at the UPMC Brain Institute.
Some learning objectives for students in this initiative are:
• I can explain the goal of neuroscience and its historical foundations.
• I understand and can explain the steps scientific process and the challenges associated with research of nervous system disorders.
• I can thoroughly explain at least 3 large scale impacts neuroscience research has had on our society.
• I can name famous individuals with ALS.
• I can provide an overview of ALS in terms of common symptoms and possible causes (10% genetic and 90% sporadic).
• I understand and can explain how ALS research leads to potential breakthroughs in terms of identifying genes associated with the disease, potential drugs to treat it, etc.
• I understand and can explain the 5 Stepping Stones to Success of the Quarterbacks of Life program (Beating the Odds Foundation) and the importance of having a positive attitude when facing obstacles/challenges in life.
The National ALS Association published the following article on our ALS initiative with the University of Pittsburgh Brain Institute and Great Valley High School. Click here to read the article and see the great work these students are doing.
