Northwest Association for Biomedical Research

EDUCATION AND COMMUNITY OUTREACH
Explore the full range of educational resources available at the Education Materials portion of our site.

Our educational outreach programs include:

Speakers' Bureau
A statewide program funded by the National Center for Research Resources at the National Institutes of Health and the National Institute of Drug Abuse. Over 150 speakers are available on topics ranging from AIDS research to the effects of drugs and alcohol on the brain. Speakers can tailor their presentations to a wide range of audiences including: service clubs, businesses, religious groups, educational institutions, health care and voluntary health organizations. The Bureau reached over 22,000 students and adults at schools and community groups in 1999-2000.
Ethics Training for Teachers
A summer workshop for Washington State secondary school educators that provides exemplary instructional materials and strategies to teach bioethics. Teachers actively participate in model classroom activities and provocative interactions with science professionals, and acquire tools needed to effectively engage students in critical discussions about bioethical issues. The workshop addresses the recommendations in the Washington State Essential Academic Learning Requirements and the National Science Education Standards through classroom practices that foster critical thinking and promote understanding of the fundamental relationship between science and citizenship.
Essay and Poster Contest for Middle School
A contest for middle school students that helps raise awareness of the need for the responsible use of animals in research. The contest features awards totaling more than $1,000. Winners are invited to participate in an awards ceremony and a visit to a local research institution. In 2002, nearly 500 students from the Pacific Northwest region participated in the contest.

SUPPORT OF THE RESEARCH COMMUNITY
For a full description of our member services, please visit the Take Part portion of our site, or contact us.

Some of the services NWABR provides for the research community include:

Resources for animal care providers
NWABR trains animal care providers on how to positively communicate their work, both through Speakers' Bureau trainings and through a “Pride in Animal Research” workshop for WA Chapter of American Association for Lab. Animal Science (AALAS).

In addition, NWABR provides a highly regarded IACUC (Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee) training workshop. The IACUC training provides opportunities to discuss the rigorous regulations that govern the duties and responsibilities of the IACUC Committee, and facilitates the exchange of ideas of members who serve in different capacities.
Special opportunities for networking among the research community
In 2002, NWABR convened the first meeting of the heads of the local Volunteer Health Associations to discuss the common issues facing their organizations, and to collaborate on strategies for safeguarding the use of animals in research.
Information for the media on local anti-research activity
For example, NWABR anticipated the “Primate Freedom Tour” at UW's Regional Primate Research Center with preemptive media briefing, which was highly successful and used as a model at 24 primate centers nationwide.
Consultation on security and harassment issues
NWABR holds briefings for security staff from member organizations on safeguarding research facilities and anti-research groups active in the Northwest.

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.