Programs

TEACH Research

The University of Chicago- Center for Health and The Social Sciences

To address the challenge of preparing these students to become physician-scientists, a team of interdisciplinary investigators created Training Early Achievers for Careers in Health (TEACH) Research, a program based on theories of adolescent career development. TEACH Research aims to prepare and inspire talented Chicago Public Schools high school students to pursue careers in health-related research by providing exposure to a realistic career experience and a multi-tiered structure of mentors.

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Program Components

Primary Areas of Focus
  • Recruitment (i.e. increasing awareness of and/or stimulating interest in health profession careers and degree programs
  • Academic preparation (e.g., increasing STEM knowledge
  • Retention or completion of health professions degree programs (support for those currently enrolled)

Program Location

Settings: In-person

County: Cook County / Chicago, IL

In-person location: University of Chicago

Timing

Duration: Three-year enrichment program for high-achieving and talented Chicago Public School students

Time periods: None

Program Components
  • Academic instruction (e.g. coursework)
    Students participate in a lecture series on an array of topics, such as study design and literature reviews, cultural competence, and health disparities.
  • Academic support (e.g. tutoring, progress monitoring)
  • Application guidance/support (e.g. standardized test prep)
    TEACH student participants also take part in structured discussions that enhance their practical knowledge, including “Getting into College,” Applying to Medical School,” and “Funding a College Education.”
  • Health career exploration (e.g. job shadowing, career fairs)
  • Mentoring (e.g. pairing with current health profession student)
    Students work closely with faculty, medical students, and University of Chicago undergraduates, shadowing hospital medicine doctors and learning how to interview patients, analyze and collect data, and present research findings
  • Networking (with others who have similar health career interests)
  • Research experience (e.g. summer program)

Program Information

Education Levels
Health Professions

Program Sustainability

Affiliated Programs

University of Chicago Collegiate Scholars Program

Affiliated Organizations and Networks

University of Chicago Medical Center, McCormick Tribune Foundation, National Institute of General Medical Science/National Institutes of Health (NIGMS/NIH)

Eligibility Criteria and How to Apply

Eligibility Criteria
  • Underrepresented racial and/or ethnic background
    This project examines the impact of realistic career experiences and a multi-tiered mentoring structure on underrepresented minority students who are considering careers in medical research. Students are assigned to either the Hospital or Field Research program.

Contact Information

The Center for Health and the Social Sciences
Email: teachrsch@gmail.com
Phone: (773) 702-8600

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