LSA is designed to develop scientific literacy, foster a sense of curiosity, and promote “habits of mind” in students who lack the opportunity to engage in challenging, inquiry-based scientific investigations.  LSA-sponsored activities also promote parent and community involvement in science education.

The Target Population for LSA is 160 middle school students (for a 5-year period for a total of 800 students) from four high-poverty; predominately Hispanic APS middle schools that have failed to achieve Annual Yearly Progress (AYP) as required by the No Child Left behind Act. Consequently, these middle school students with an interest in science and the potential to become scientists currently have few, if any, opportunities to participate in intensive science experiences.

Student Activities for the new funding period consist of both a Summer Program and an after-school program for students attending one of the four targeted middle schools in southwestern Albuquerque. The Summer Program consists of 2 to 3 week sessions (accommodating a total of 80 students) each summer. Each session focuses on one topic. The Summer Program curriculum, utilizes hands on, problem-based learning strategy focused on respiratory system and diseases.

Units are:

The Effects of Smoking; Health and Nutrition; Air Pollution; Genetics and Immunology. All activities conducted during each investigation units are inquiry-based and some mimic actual laboratory experiments conducted in the participating scientists’ laboratories. Each unit also includes opportunities for field trips to relevant sites in the Albuquerque area, such as a visit to an Albuquerque Metro courtroom where cigarette company executives are put on mock trial in front of a Metro Court judge; as well as visits to the Albuquerque Biological Park and the Explora museum.

The After School Program consists of 8-week sessions (two concurrent sessions per semester accommodating a total of 80 students) each school year. The After School Program focuses on how to maintain a healthy respiratory system. During the program students will discover the effects of altitude on the lungs, the effects of exercise on the lungs, and tests that doctors can perform to assess the health of the lungs.

From these topics, students gain an understanding of the scientific method, the use of appropriate lab equipment, and proper experimental design. The LSA curriculum prepares students to meet challenging National Science Education Standards, the basis of the New Mexico State Science Standards. The Student Activities portion of LSA is designed to facilitate and enable participants to achieve the following goals:

• Demonstrate an increased meaningful interest in science
• Demonstrate an increase in session-specific content knowledge
• Demonstrate the ability to use mathematics and technology to support science learning.

Family and Community Outreach consists of Family Science Nights and Science Career Day. The Family Science Nights provide hands-on activities with scientists from the Lovelace Respiratory Research Institute for students’ families as well as community members at each of the four participating middle schools. Activities during these evenings relate to respiratory health and disease. Science Career Day is an LSA-sponsored day event at each of the four participating middle schools to educate participants and their families about science careers. During Science Career Day, scientists, laboratory technicians, and educators speak to students and their families about science as a career and how to prepare for it. Parents receive information on appropriate high school courses for students to take in order to continue on a path to college, especially toward a career in science.

The Family and Community Outreach portion of LSA is designed to facilitate and enable parents and family members of participants to achieve the following goals:

• Demonstrate improved attitudes towards students' academic activities and lifestyle improvements
• Demonstrate an increased comfort with science-related activities

Recruitment/Retention: LSA utilizes several strategies to recruit and retain students. LSA partners with a teacher at each of the four participating middle schools. These LSA liaisons provide information to students at their schools and serve as the bridge between LSA and their schools. To facilitate recruitment and retention, LSA provides breakfast, lunch, and a snack to all Summer Program participants, and snacks to all After School Program, Family Science Night, and Science Career Night participants. Additional incentives such as t-shirts, back packs, and school supplies are given to students who complete the After School Program or Summer Program.

Staffing: LSA activities are conducted by several different groups. LRRI Scientist Dr. Julie Wilder serves as the LSA Program Director with responsibility for program oversight. The Education Program Coordinator, Phyllis Aragon, is responsible for day-to-day operations, with the assistance of a full-time staff member, Mary Ella Fernandez. LRRI scientists participating in LSA include Drs. Jean Clare Seagrave and Adriana Kajon, along with Julie Wilder. The Summer Program is further staffed by four counselors to provide a low staff-to-student ratio and to allow small-group mentoring. Finally, outside evaluator, Dr. Mario Rivera conducts a vigorous program assessment to ensure student needs and program objectives are met.

Funding for the Lovelace Science Academy was generously provided by the Howard Hughes Medical Institute Pre-College Science Education Initiative for Biomedical Research Institutions.

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