Program Overview

With increasing media coverage focusing on the use of embryos for stem cell research, babies born from test tubes, and cloning of Dolly the sheep, many questions arise. Do we really understand how reproductive processes work and the ethics that arise from these developments? As science advances, one area that is quickly arising is the field of Reproductive Physiology. The Techological Advances in Reproductive Biology program (TARB) attempts to address the science behind reproductive technologies by introducing basic reproductive physiology and looking at technological applications from a comparative standpoint between humans and animals. The program addresses basic reproductive anatomy, egg/sperm interactions, pregnancy, labor, genetic defects that affect reproductive organs, biotechnology in reproductive medicine, and ethics that are behind technological advances in reproductive biology.

The “Technological Advances in Reproductive Biology Summer Science Program” aims to energize, encourage and educate high school juniors and seniors about the realm of science. In particular, this program is aimed at those students in more rural North Carolina and minority students statewide. Rural students have a different perspective on agriculture due to their exposure as young children compared to more urban-raised students. Phase one of this program uses the students’ rural background as an advantage by harnessing student interest in animal or food production and teaching the science behind the reproduction of animals, and then applying the same techniques to other species including humans. During this process students will be in contact with professionals throughout the scientific community including professors, researchers, laboratory technicians, physicians, veterinarians and industry representatives in order to impress upon them the opportunities that are available to them in the field of science. During the two week program, students have the opportunity to perform a research project in the area of embryonic development in an attempt to expose them to the scientific method. Students will expose in-vitro cultured embryos to treatments and collect data on embryonic development. These data will be analyzed and students will develop a scientific poster presentation to present at a final reception with program personnel, North Carolina State University faculty, administrators, and parents.

Phase two requires program students present their research to students in their home school along with a laboratory exercise performed by one of the program PIs in the home school. This experience will make each student an educator as well as a recruiter for the following summer program. Student presentation of information they have learned will encourage their development in science and solidify confidence in their knowledge. This exercise also exposes more students to hands-on science laboratory exercises and may instill a desire in peer students to participate in the project or other similar projects.

Students should leave the project with:

• A better understanding of the basic principles behind how animals develop from gamete to embryo to living offspring.
• An understanding of application of these basic principles to produce embryos in-vitro and in-vivo.
• An appreciation for the scientific process.
• Improved communication skills.
• An increased awareness in opportunities that are available for post secondary education.
• Greater appreciation for scientific research.
• Knowledge of employment opportunities in science.
• Ties between modern agriculture practices in reproduction, the science behind them, and their influence on human medicine.