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Oncofertility Saturday Academy Overview
Oncofertility Saturday Academy (OSA) is a two-year science program offered by the Northwestern University and Young Women’s Leadership Charter School Science Partnership. The first year of the program is called the Junior Oncofertility Saturday Academy (JOSA) and the second year of the program is called the Senior Oncofertility Saturday Academy (SOSA). OSA was designed specifically for the young women leaders of YWLCS to:
- Learn about the reproductive cycle, hormone action and fertilization in mice and humans
- Do experiments in a real research lab
- Meet professors, undergraduate students, medical students and graduate students working as scientists in the laboratory
- Learn about Northwestern University programs, admissions and student life
Read what Northwestern is saying about the program:
Hands-On Saturday Academy Excited Girls about Medical Careers
Medical Students Find Rewards in Mentoring High School Girls
Breast Simulation Modeling Training Physicians and Inspiring Young Women
Junior Oncofertility Saturday Academy (JOSA)
FOCUS ON RESEARCH
The JOSA students participated in three Saturday Learning Modules at Northwestern University Weinberg College of Arts and Science that focused on current research connected to the emerging field of oncofertility:
(Learning Module 1) Students isolated ovaries and follicles and made their own alginate beads (physical model system, structure-function, ovaries, tissue engineering)
(Learning Module 2) Students analyzed the quality of follicles (sectioned follicles and monitored markers of follicle health; model-based reasoning)
(Learning Module 3) Students isolated and fertilized frog and sea urchin eggs (animal model)
Click here to view photos of JOSA participants during Learning Module 2
Senior Oncofertility Saturday Academy (SOSA) - FOCUS ON TREATMENT
The SOSA students participated in three Saturday Learning Modules at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine that focused on current treatments connected to the emerging field of oncofertility:
(Learning Module 4) Students simulated in vitro fertilization through analysis of human sperm cells (models of sperm quality and embryo creation: in vitro model, simulated medical techniques)
(Learning Module 5) Students observed a surgery of cancer patient and the conducted operations using a robotics simulator (observing, oncology and loss of fertility, simulated through robotics, database research)
(Learning Module 6) Students simulated an obstetric assessment with women doctors and medical students. Students viewed a labor and delivery videocast.
Click here to view photos of SOSA participants during Learning Module 6
Oncofertility Saturday Academy Graduation
On March 5, 2008, 27 YWLCS students (14 Juniors, 13 Seniors) graduated from the Oncofertility Saturday Academy (OSA). There were over 100 guests who celebrated this monumental event, including, parents, teachers, and board members from YWLCS and scientist, doctors, and other significant individuals from Northwestern University.
Click here to view photos of the OSA Graduation
If you have any questions, contact:
Megan Faurot
Science Educator and Department Coordinator
Young Women’s Leadership Charter School
Email: mefaurot@ywlcs.org
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