Inspiring the Next Generation
Read Time: 4 minutes
Huntsman Cancer Institute is committed to opening more doors to careers in science and medicine for trainees from communities in the Mountain West and beyond. A key way to do this is by partnering with educators. Enter the , an initiative connecting cutting-edge cancer research to middle and high school teachers.
Through the PathMaker Bridge program, we are expanding the boundaries of scientific knowledge and empowering educators to be catalysts for change, says Gita Suneja, MD, MSHP, one of the principal investigators of PathMaker Bridge at Huntsman Cancer Institute and professor of radiation oncology at the . By connecting research with teaching, we are nurturing a new generation of inspired scientists who will be leaders in cancer innovation.
A Transformative Journey
The PathMaker Bridge program offers a six-week summer research experience in a Huntsman Cancer Institute laboratory. Teachers collaborate with scientists, deepen their understanding of cancer biology, and create lesson plans tailored to their students. Participants receive financial compensation, 20 graduate credits over two years, and ongoing professional development.
For me, the most valuable insight was being reminded that I can do hard things, says Deb Smith, a middle school science teacher in Salt Lake City. I tell my students that being a lifelong learner is how we become successful humans. This program reaffirmed that belief in myself and helped me model it for my students.
Smith adds, Having scientists from Huntsman Cancer Institute visit my classroom has made a huge difference. When students see real-life examples, they begin to believe in their own potential.
Representation in science matters, says Elena Mylroie, a teacher at Chinle High School in Arizona and a member of the Navajo Nation. Very few, if any, of my students have parents who went to college. When they see someone with a similar background succeeding, it inspires them to aim higher.
Being a lifelong learner is how we become successful humans."
Deb Smith
Bringing Science to Life
For many teachers, the program has revitalized their approach to science education. They incorporate hands-on techniques like pipetting and data analysis into lessons, transforming abstract concepts into engaging, real-world activities.
One of the most rewarding parts has been the excitement in my students, says Mylroie. I teach 126 kids across 6 classes. Showing them how to read data and do projects has made them more interested in science. They see Ive done it, and now they believe they can, too.
The program also challenges participants, pushing them outside their comfort zones. I had times where I felt like the most ignorant person in the room, Smith adds. But that only made me appreciate the process of learningand reminded me how my students feel when facing new challenges. Perseverance is key.
Breaking Down Barriers
For one teacher, the impact of connecting her students to real-world science went far beyond the classroom.
I took my class to Huntsman Cancer Institute, and they havent stopped talking about it, says April Thompson, a teacher at Westlake High School in Utah County. We visited labhad a 45-minute Q and Aand the kids were so prepared to talk about cancer. Engagement soared in the classroom.
But it wasnt just the students who grew. It was humbling to realize I still had some biases I needed to confront, Thompson adds. Dr. Welm opened my eyes to the importance of collaboration and communication. That kind of safe space helps everyone bring ideas to the table.
Hope Through Discovery
The PathMaker Bridge program isnt just about educationits about hope. For one participant who has her own personal connection with the disease, the program reignited optimism about cancer treatment.
Mi Pohahau, a sixth-grade teacher in Ogden, Utah, reflected on her dual drivers as an educator and patient. I am motivated to understand cancer at its core. As a teacher, I aim to foster education that inspires the next generation to make meaningful contributions to cancer research. Programs like this show how science can change lives.
Programs like this show how science can change lives.
Mi Pohahau
Since COVID, kids are more timid, resistant, and fearful. Were working to reestablish a growth mindset.
Through this initiative, Huntsman Cancer Institute is not only shaping the future of science education but also planting seeds of curiosity, perseverance, and hope in classrooms across the Mountain West.
This program has given me hope that cancer can one day be eradicatedpossibly within my lifetime, Mylroie adds. Its important for my students to see the human side of science and be motivated by the possibility of making a difference.
Looking Ahead
Teachers are eager to see the PathMaker Bridge program expand and inspire even more students. I really hope, with this new location being built in Vineyard, that Huntsman Cancer Institute creates a larger outreach program. Even a few hours a day for an internship or field trip could make a difference, Thompson says. Just meeting a scientist via Zoom helps students see theres more they can become.