CAUSE

Collaborations to Advance Understanding of Science and Ethics

November 2006

In recognition of our important work at the intersection of research, education, and ethics, the National Center for Research Resources (a component of the National Institutes of Health) has awarded NWABR and the University of Washington $542,000 over the next two years for our Collaborations to Advance Understanding of Ethics in Science (CAUSE) program.

With this Science Education Partnership Award (Phase II) grant, we will be able to disseminate the well-received curricular materials developed in our previous Phase I grant, including our popular Ethics Primer and our secondary science curricula focused on HIV Vaccines and Stem Cells. Our plans include teacher professional development workshops both locally and nationally, as well as the development of a new online Ethics in Science course for educators through the University of Washington School of Distance Learning.

Teachers who have participated in our workshop and who have used our materials have noted the change that they see in their students as a result:

Students who have been less engaged have a new passion for learning the science behind some of the controversial topics in class, and students who have been excited about science always now see a whole new window of thought and study.
- CAUSE Lead Teacher

The connections that my students are making in regard to ethics and science are the most important learning they will receive from me this year. Most of my students will not become scientists, but they will become citizens who have been given some of the analytical tools necessary to bring their scientific and ethical knowledge to bear on contemporary issues that will impact them.
- CAUSE Workshop Participant

We will be guided in our work by our CAUSE Phase II Consultants Laura Bishop, PhD, Kennedy Institute of Ethics, Lola Szobota, MSEd, MA, Professional Development Consultant, LueRachelle Brim-Atkins, Diversity Consultant, and Carolyn Cohen, Cohen Research and Evaluation. Our Phase II Advisory Committee includes:

Wylie Burke, PhD, Chair, Department of Medical History and Ethics
William Cameron, PhD PI, TIES SEPA Program, Oregon Health and Science University
Nora Disis, PhD, Program Director, General Clinical Research Center, University of Washington
Sally Luttrell-Montes, Director of Induction, UW College of Education
Jayne Mackta, Executive Director, New Jersey Association for Biomedical Research
Maureen Munn, PhD Director, UW Genome Science Education Outreach Group
Lisa Peterson, Director, University of Washington Genomics Outreach to Minorities
Louisa Stark, PhD, PI and Director, Genetic Science Learning Center SEPA Program
Beverly Torok-Storb, PhD Senior Scientist, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center
Laurie Wylie, Executive Director, Western Washington Area Health Education Center

The CAUSE program is designed to increase the understanding of the ethical dimensions of science among teachers, their students, and the general public. Nationally recognized scientists, ethicists, and educators partner to develop curricular materials targeted at secondary school science classes.

Products funded by the CAUSE GRANT:

'Collaborations to Advance Understanding of Science in Ethics', is funded by a Science Education Partnership Award from the National Center for Research Resources, a component of the National Institutes of Health

NWABR is a 501(c)3 organization. All contributions are tax deductible.
The NWABR web site was made possible by funding from the National Center for Research
Resources and the National Institutes of Health through a Science Education Partnership Award.

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