The money will help fund several current university programs that target minority and disadvantaged teen-agers across the state. The idea of the programs is to find a spark early, to open a junior high school student's eyes to science early enough that the student can work toward the goal. Further, the UNC programs make the world of health a little more open to these students, said Larry Keith, an assistant dean and director of special programs in UNC's School of Medicine. We want to give them more avenues.
Exposure is the key.
For the younger students, the Summer Experience program offers a chance to get a glimpse of available health careers. In the first of two summers, they're introduced to a wide range of health professions. The next summer, they work as research assistants on faculty projects in nursing, dentistry and medicine. A third phase of this program focuses on college preparation and career planning. Another program, the medical school's Research Apprenticeship Program, gives 20 disadvantaged students each year a seven-week residential experience.