RECENT
STUDIES
Research
studies reveal that 53% of our youth begin drinking in the 8th grade
(14 years old).
Other studies show that students who drink before age 15 are four times
more likely to develop alcoholism than those who started drinking at
age 20 or later.
The science classroom is an excellent environment to create awareness
about this issue and, through the application of an inquiry-based approach,
combat the problem.
EDUCATIONAL
GOALS
The NIAAA Science
Education Program goals continue to evolve and currently include the
following:
NIAAA Science Education Mission:
To
translate and apply research findings about the science of alcohol use
and abuse in a variety of formal and informal educational settings.
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FREE!
CLASSROOM
CURRICULA
Better
Safe than Sorry -Preventing a Tragedy -
A curriculum kit, comprised of three modules on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
(FAS) for middle school classroom instruction, developed by Dr. Kathy
Sulik of the University of North Carolina Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies,
in significant collaboration with several science teachers. The kit includes:
- Hard copies
of implementation directions and background materials;
- A CD-ROM with a PowerPoint presentation introducing
FAS, as well as an introductory video and a step-by-step-guide of the
brine shrimp lab activity*; and
- Colorful transparencies to provide teachers with additional
background information about FAS.
*An optional demonstration
or class-size brine shrimp kit to engage purposeful hands-on experiments
may be ordered from the Carolina Biological Supply Company.
Understanding
Alcohol:
Investigations into Biology and Behavior
Produced by the Biological Sciences Curriculum Study (BSCS) and funded
by NIHs Office of Science Education (OSE) and NIAAA; the curriculum
consists of six sequential, inquiry based lessons for integration into
a 7th grade middle school science class. All activities fulfill the requirements
of the 5 Es Model (Engage, Explore, Explain, Elaborate, and Evaluate)
and meet National Science Education Standards (NSES) Content and
Performance Standards. The curriculum includes:
- Content on absorption and transport of alcohol in the
body, as well as its biological and behavioral effects;
- Personal and societal consequences of alcohol abuse
and alcoholism; and
- Comparison lab activities using manipulatives, intoxicated
vs. sober mouse and drunk-driving simulations, followed by a capstone
lesson where students use knowledge gained to explore a public policy
question.
To place orders and
to download products, visit www.science.education.nih.gov
NIH Publication No. 03-5420 Printed October
2003
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FUTURE
PROGRAMS
- Integration of
the Better Safe than Sorry curriculum with programs that are working
to reduce infant mortality in minority populations.
- Development of
NIAAAs childrens website, thecoolspot.gov.
- Participation in
teacher focus group discussions at professional science education conferences.
- Coordination of
outreach programs with universities around the country.
- Development of
funding through other NIH science education initiatives.
- Implementation
of teacher training institutes that meet NSES standards.
- Evaluation of NIAAAs
curriculum modules and integrated lessons.
GRANTS
AND CONTRACT
OPPORTUNITIES
R25-Grant:
Alcohol Education Project Grants - Provide funding for a
broad range of educational approaches.
http://grants1.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAS-99-165.html
Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Contracts and Grants -
Successful awardees will work closely with an education specialist/coordinator
at NIAAA to align products with national teaching standards and curricula.
http://grants1.nih.gov/grants/funding/sbir.htm#sol
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CONTACT
INFORMATION
NIAAA encourages your
feedback and ideas on any of its programs or activities and seeks to hear
from those who may be interested in developing a program through a contractual
or funding mechanism. Please forward comments and questions to:
Jason Lazarow, M.Ed.
Science Education Coordinator
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism
National Institutes of Health
6000 Executive Boulevard, Suite 302
Bethesda, MD 20892-7003
Phone: 301-435-8043
Fax: 301-480-2358
Email: jlazarow@mail.nih.gov
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