CSBR strives to promote an understanding of biomedical research in California and Nevada K-12 schools and universities through a variety of programs and initiatives. CSBR’s educational programs and services, virtually all of which are provided free-of-charge, primarily involve:
Essay and Poster Contest
Each year, CSBR conducts an Essay and Poster Contest to provide an opportunity for students to discuss and illustrate the impact of biomedical research. This year, CSBR’s Essay and Poster Contests will require students to investigate a science-based societal issue by researching the literature, analyzing data, and communicating the findings. This activity is in accordance with national and state science standards. For the Poster Contest, students are asked to pretend they are creating a page for a coloring book for young children about the life sciences and science research. For rules and details on each contest, please click on one of the following links.
- Download this year's Poster Contest requirements and guidelines
- Download this year's Essay Contest requirements and guidelines
- Download the required cover sheet for the Essay and Poster Contests
CSBR believes that the availability of a wide variety of up-to-date, high quality educational resources and materials is critical to assisting our students and teachers, and in stimulating interest in the life sciences and significant health issues. CSBR distributes a wide variety of life science educational resources, including posters, newsletters, brochures, information sheets, and games, free-of-charge, to science and health teachers, school nurses, and physical educational education instructors for use in their classrooms and programs. Teachers can order educational materials using our order form. Most materials are available at no charge due to generous contributions from CSBR members. To request materials for your classroom, fill out our Educational Materials Form
Speakers' Bureau
CSBR brings the research community into the classroom to foster better understanding of the benefits of biomedical research to humans and animals and to increase students' interest in science education and science-based careers. CSBR arranges for physicians, veterinarians, laboratory staff, researchers, scientists, and others in the medical field to speak to K-12 science and health classes and organizations throughout California and Nevada on topics of the life sciences, careers in the field, and the importance of biomedical research. Speakers have expertise in such areas of research such as gene therapy, cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, arthritis, alcohol and drug abuse, immunology, and HIV/AIDS. To request a speaker in your classroom, fill out our Speakers’ Bureau Request Form or visit our Speakers' Bureau Page
Exhibiting and Teacher Training Workshops
CSBR presents workshops about biomedical research for science and health teachers and school nurses at educational conferences throughout California, in conjunction with our educational exhibits. These workshops provide educators with an overview of our programs and services and health and life-science research and state science standards, as well as guidance for incorporating biomedical research, transgenic research and other controversial issues into the curriculum.
E-Newsletter for Educators
CSBR publishes an electronic newsletter for teachers, The Mindful Microscope, three times each academic year. Each issue features information on free educational resources for science teachers as well as information to facilitate life-science instruction to your students. To begin receiving issues of The Mindful Microscope,click here.
New Life-Science Educational Materials & Resources Development
CSBR develops new educational materials related to biomedical research for use in K-12 programs, college-level courses, teacher-training activities, and for public outreach. In planning and developing new educational pieces, we respond to teacher requests for specific topics or when we recognize a need for more detailed information in an area of study, health category, or regarding general biomedical research. When the request for a certain type of resource becomes frequent, CSBR seeks funding to develop these much-needed materials.
Awards at Science Fairs
CSBR presents an award at all ISEF-affiliated science fairs in California and Nevada that recognizes students who use IACUC protocols when developing and implementing a science fair project using animals.
Interactive Science Workshops
CSBR brings middle school students, teachers, and the research community together at science centers throughout the state for one-day workshops consisting of hands-on presentations by scientists and researchers. The purpose of these workshops is to increase interest in science and biomedical research.
Public Outreach
The Society's public and professional outreach programs enlist physicians, scientists, veterinarians, laboratory researchers and others to carry the message to the general public. They have proven highly effective at encouraging public support for research that is seeking and finding both an understanding of and cures for the wide array of diseases and illnesses that afflict people and animals.
