We provided an educational experience for 8 talented high school students who expressed an interest in learning more about stem cell biomedical research. The highlight of the student experience was their ability to learn and contribute to many of the ongoing stem cell focused programs at City of Hope and the Beckman Research Institute. This included bone marrow transplantation studies, leukemia research, HIV/AIDS treatments and cancer immunotherapy focused clinical trials. Our program include introductory lectures about stem cell science as well as stem cell hype. The received individual and group training about how to prepare and present a scientific talk and poster. SPARK students met weekly with Ms. Velinda Liao for various stem cell related activities. The attended weekly lectures from stem cell researchers (both clinical and basic science) in the Los Angeles area as well as from a panel of scientists from Amgen, a leading biotechnology company. Selected students met the speakers for lunch where they could ask additional questions and network. Students participated in a patient centered activity by spending a day in the City of Hope Amani Transfusion center. Here they learned about blood and platelet collection technology and were introduced to the importance of becoming a “stem cell” donor in our large Bone Marrow transplantation program. Several students presented scientific talks during a weekly lunchtime meeting to an audience of their peers. All students presented a poster at our program ending poster session open to all members of the City of Hope family as well as students friends and family.
Students attended our annual summer Petrie Bowl barbecue and competition social where they networked with other Eugene and Ruth Roberts summer academy students and attended several other academy social functions. Students went on 3 field trips to the Getty Research Institute (a creative experience), the California museum of Science and the Pacific Aquarium in Long Beach. Students participated in the CIRM social media programs and produced a music video parody shown at the statewide SPARK conference held in Berkeley this year.
Exit surveys and personal conversations with students revealed the extremely valuable experience obtained by these budding scientists during their SPARK experience. Many now plan to make stem cell research a focus as they move forward with their planned academic and career development.