PROJECT SUMMARY The University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) College of Medicine and the University of Nebraska Omaha's Biology Department and its programs in Native American Studies and in Medical Humanities, will leverage the trust and cooperative spirit that has been garnered working with tribal schools and communities in Nebraska, South Dakota and Arizona to develop, implement, and evaluate cancer-related science curricula and research experiences aimed to support Native American students. The UNMC in community-based cancer prevention combined with the Munroe- excellence in educational outreach and the first-rate basic and translational cancer research in state-of-the-art laboratories at the Eppley Institute in the NCI-designated Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center are consolidated in the UNMC Youth Enjoy Science program (UNMC-YES) for the benefit of Native American students' education in all aspects of cancer research. The long-term goals of this project are to promote student interest in the sciences, foster a more science-literate public, and increase the number of Native Americans entering health and science careers with a particular emphasis in cancer research. UNMC-YES aims to: 1) Cultivate and sustain trusting community partnerships to expand outreach initiated in the original grant cycle to rural and urban Native American students, 2) Develop, disseminate and implement culturally relevant, technology-based cancer education curricula with Native American populations, and 3) Expand Native American student horizons through hands-on, culture- and standards-based science activities, research experiences and exposure to health science careers. These aims will be accomplished through innovative and evidence-based 1) outreach and engagement, 2) curriculum development and dissemination, and 3) provision of research experiences. UNMC-YES will generate and deliver cancer-related activities, lessons and research experiences to Native American students in grades 6 through undergraduate. UNMC-YES will also provide teachers with research experiences, workshops, mentoring, and in-service education to facilitate implementation of project curriculum with Native American students. Student participants will experience a range of highly intensive activities such as summer research camps to higher frequency activities such as school-based science clubs, mentored cancer research internships, and ongoing research talking circles. Professional evaluations will be made at all stages, with major emphasis on the educational, professional and community impact of the project. Pre- and post-test measures will analyze participant outcomes. Stakeholder perspectives and community systems for reducing cancer will be assessed to inform continuous improvement. Our objective is not only to increase Native American representation in cancer-related health professions and research but also to advance the health of Native Peoples through improvements in cancer prevention, treatment, and research.

PROJECT NARRATIVE Programs that engage and sustain interest in science, health professions and cancer research among American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) students and their teachers from middle school through college are desperately needed. With an experienced team, cutting-edge campus resources and strong partnership support, the Youth Enjoy Science program will continue to build community trust and recruit participants through outreach, train participants through research experiences, and develop and implement Indigenous science and cancer education curriculum and career development activities. Our aim is to not only increase AI/AN representation in cancer-related health professions and research but also advance the health of AI/ANs through improvements in cancer prevention, treatment, and research in AI/AN communities.