BSCS Developing K-12 Diabetes Curriculum

BSCS was recently awarded a three-year, $3.3 million contract from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) to develop curriculum materials for students in grades K-12. With this funding, BSCS is developing seven inquiry-based curriculum units for use in science or health classes.

The curriculum will focus on improving understanding about the biology underlying type 2 diabetes and how individuals can make decisions that affect their health. Each unit will include hands-on and web-based activities. A video will feature interviews with leading scientists and health professionals whose work focuses on type 2 diabetes. The curriculum materials will target Latino and African American audiences, which are populations that have a higher-than-average incidence of type 2 diabetes. A separate component of the project includes the development of materials for parents and community members to raise awareness of type 2 diabetes. 

Red Hill Studios of San Rafael, CA, will partner with BSCS to develop the multimedia components of the project. The advisory board for the project includes scientists and clinicians from leading institutions including Harvard University, the Texas Diabetes Institute, and Howard University Hospital. Canyon Ranch Institute, a non-profit organization led by the 17th U.S. Surgeon General, Richard H. Carmona, will collaborate on the project, focusing on improving community engagement around type 2 diabetes prevention and management. 

BSCS Science Educator Anne Westbrook is the principal investigator (PI) for the project. Please contact Anne Westbrook for more information.