What is the Speaker’s Bureau?
The California Society for Biomedical Research (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.

How do I arrange for a speaker to visit my classroom?
To arrange for a biomedical research professional to visit your classroom, please complete and return the Speakers’ Bureau Request Form to CSBR via fax (916) 558-1523 or mail to CSBR, PO Box 19340, Sacramento, CA 95819-0340. Please make sure that you include preferred speaking dates and times in order to expedite the speaker placement process.

After CSBR receives the completed Speakers’ Request Form, CSBR will contact you with any questions and to confirm contact information. CSBR will then contact speaker(s) to confirm date, time, location, etc. Once the speaker is confirmed, CSBR will send an email to both the teacher and the speaker to exchange contact information, confirm date, time and location and any additional instructions.

One week prior to the presentation, CSBR will send the speaker a classroom kit and materials. The kit will include realistic models of animal and human anatomy, classroom sets of educational materials and evaluation forms for the teacher and the speaker. After the presentation is complete, the speaker will return the classroom kit to CSBR using pre-paid postage.

What is the cost?
Our speakers are pleased to share their work with teachers and students in the classroom and at public gatherings on a volunteer basis. There is no charge to use the Speakers’ Bureau.

How long do the speakers speak?
CSBR speakers typically speak for 30-60 minutes, depending on the group.

What do the speakers talk about?
CSBR speakers are prepared to speak about a variety of biomedical research related issues. Sample topics available through CSBR’s Speaker’s Bureau are:

• AIDS Research
• Benefits of Biomedical Research
• Biotechnology and bioengineering
• Cancer and Cancer Research
• Careers in the Life Sciences
• Companion Animal Diseases
• Ethics & Biomedical Research
• Genetic Diseases
• Heart Disease and Stroke
• STD’s
• Stem Cell Research
• Substance Abuse
• Transplants: Heart, Kidney, Liver and Lung

If you are interested in having a biomedical professional speak about one of the topics, please complete the Speaker’s Bureau Request Form. If you do not see the topic you want listed, please contact CSBR – the list is a sample of what we offer. Our speakers are happy to tailor their presentations to your lesson plan or group.

Is there an age limit?
CSBR provides speakers for all age groups, especially K-12 students. Our speakers will tailor their presentations to the group so they are age appropriate. In addition, CSBR provides K-12 students with life science curriculum materials that support California and Nevada health and science standards.

What if there is not a speaker in my area?
CSBR speakers are pleased to share their work with teachers and students in the classroom on a volunteer basis. In the event that we are unable to place a speaker in the classroom, CSBR will send the teacher a “Lesson-in-a-Box” that includes a kit with all the necessary items for a classroom project/project, a video on biomedical research careers, educational materials, teacher instructions. Teachers present the lesson/project to the class and rerun to Lesson-in-a-box via the enclosed return shipping mailing label. Boxes are mailed to teachers on a two-week loan, free-of-charge.

CSBR currently has 3 topics for Lessons-in-a-box available:

• Biomedical Research Careers
• Substitute Teacher Helper
• Pre-school/Elementary School Level

It is also very helpful if you provide driving directions, parking instructions and any other information to the speaker prior to their arrival. After a speaker has been confirmed, CSBR will send the teacher and speaker an email exchanging contact information to assist with this.

Can a speaker visit my class/group more than once during the year?
Yes. There is no limit to the number of times CSBR will place a speaker at a school or public gathering. This can be especially beneficial for life science classes discussing biochemistry, cell structure and functions, genetics and taxonomy.