PROJECT SUMMARY The importance of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) to our daily lives has been heightened by the nature of the pandemic: from vaccines to computer programs that allow us to stay connected, the innovations that are integral to our daily lives are based in STEM. Further, as healthcare researchers, we recognize that the brain underpins the nature of the human experience and is involved with a wide variety of healthcare topics beyond the brain/spinal cord, including but not limited to oncology, trauma, sleep, hearing and speech, neurodevelopmental disabilities and community health/safety. Understanding how the nervous system interrelates with various STEM concepts, impacts neurodevelopment, and influences health equity is critical for building a capable workforce. The lack of career pathways for diverse and capable young innovators in brain-based STEM and health backgrounds signals a continued need for a focus on STEM literacy and competencies throughout K-12 education. Mentored Experiences to Expand Opportunities in Research version 3 (“METEOR v. 3”) will provide meaningful experiences for Washington, DC metro area high school students from diverse cultural, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds and STEM teachers-in-training with a specific focus on understanding the healthy and diseased brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nerves through a children’s health lens. METEOR v. 3 will engage participants in inquiry-based biomedical, behavioral, and clinical research in the setting of Children’s National Hospital and its’ Research Institute. We will provide a comprehensive program and curriculum, which will employ unique, research-based educational practices designed to stimulate interest and advance knowledge in the neurosciences, neurobiology, behavioral health and related fields. These innovative hands-on experiences will stimulate the next generation of students and teachers to bring neurosciences to the forefront of STEM and health care research.

PROJECT NARRATIVE To bring neurosciences to the forefront of STEM and health care research, Mentored Experiences to Expand Opportunities in Research version 3 (“METEOR v. 3”) will provide hands-on research experiences for local high school students and STEM teachers-in-training during the summer academic break with continued activities through the school year. METEOR v. 3 will immerse Washington, DC metro area high schoolers and future STEM teachers from diverse cultural, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds into inquiry-based biomedical, behavioral, and clinical research at Children’s National Hospital and its Research Institute. With a comprehensive mentorship program and core curriculum, METEOR v. 3 will employ unique, research-based educational practices designed to stimulate interest and advance knowledge in the neurosciences, neurobiology, and related fields.