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Small Business Innovation Research/Small Business Technology Transfer

The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer programs are set-aside programs (2.5% of an agencies extramural budget for SBIR and 0.3% for STTR) for small businesses to engage in projects that have the potential for commercialization. NIDA funds SBIR and STTR grants and SBIR contracts that focus on developing science education related programs and materials that use innovative approaches to improve knowledge of and generate interest in science among school children, the general public, health care providers and others. A brief description of some SBIR/STTR projects that NIDA has funded are listed below. If you would like information on the SBIR and STTR programs or any of the projects listed below, please contact Cathrine Sasek, Ph.D. at csasek@nih.gov or 301-443-6071.

Information on the SBIR and STTR programs can be found here:

Grants

High School Students

Neuroscience TV to Steer Teens from Substance Abuse

Lee Boot InfoCulture, LLC boot@focul.com

Product Developed: a feature film titled Euphoria

Target Audience: high school students

Goal: Euphoria asks: In a country built for the pursuit of happiness, is it working? Are you happy? Roving narrator Lee Boot winds through backyards, beaches, wastelands and wilderness finding an improbable range of ideas, artifacts and people that shed light on how we humans can feel as good as we can for as long as we can. Each idea formed from bits of history, human observation, science, and personal stories is embedded in its own cluster of visual metaphors. The films brings into focus content from neuroscience, psychology, behavioral science and Western history to lay the groundwork for the thought that fulfillment-even peak feelings like euphoria, are a by-product of pursuing something meaningful and engaging.

Contracts

Elementary School Teachers and Children

BrainTrain4Kids: New Delivery of the Brain Power! Program

Mary Metcalf, Ph.D. MPH
Clinical Tools, Inc.
Metcalf@clinicaltools.com

Product Developed: BrainTrain4Kids, an interactive on-line version of Brain Power! The NIDA Junior Scientist Program

Target Audience: second and third grade students and their parents

Goal: This SBIR contract is developing an on-line version of NIDA's Brain Power! The NIDA Junior Scientist Program, an in depth curriculum on the brain and drug abuse. The web site will use scientific inquiry to teach students and their parents about the brain, how it works and the impact tobacco and alcohol can have on brain functioning. The web site is designed specifically for use by children and their parents as home. It will complement the NIDA developed materials which are intended for use in the classroom.

Alignment with Standards: National Science Education Standards

Research Club and Science Club Kits

Kristen Holtz, PhD
Danya International, Inc.
kholtz@danya.com

Product Developed: a) two different sets of card that allow non-teachers to conduct an after-school research club with elementary school children. One hundred cards provide information for conducting simple experiments, activities, solving puzzles and ideas for discussions; b) facilitator's guide; c) supplemental video that shows careers of different scientists.

Target Audience: students in grades K-5 and after-school program coordinators

Goal: These materials are designed to increase children's interest in science and research and to spark their interest in scientific careers. The Science Club Kit includes fun and engaging experiments to teach children about science, including the brain and addiction.

Alignment with Standards: National Science Education Standards

Availability: The Science Club Kit (K- 2) is currently under development. The Research Club Kit, designed for children in grades 3-5 is available for purchase from Danya International, Inc (http://shop.danya.com/Research_Club_p/da155.htm).

Middle School Teachers and Children

The Organ TrailTM

Kristen Holtz, PhD
Danya International, Inc.
kholtz@danya.com

Product Developed: a) interactive board game designed to teach middle school students about the physiology of the human brain and body, and the effects of drugs and alcohol on the brain and body; b) CD-ROM version of the board game; c) video to supplement the board game; d) facilitator's guide; e) booster cards for younger children (grades 2-4).

Target Audience: students in grades 5-6 and teachers

Goal: These materials focus on the physiology of the human brain and body, with a particular emphasis on the effects of drugs and alcohol on the brain and body. Organ TrailTM is designed to promote active learning and exploration in the field of science education.

Alignment with Standards: National Science Education Standards

Availability: The board game is available for purchase from Human Relations Media (www.hrmvideo.com). All other accompanying materials are currently under development.

Science and Ethics for Young People: The Ethical Use of Animals in Drug Abuse Research

Laura Roberts, M.D., MA
Terra Nova Learning Systems, LCC (formerly EthicsRx)

Product Developed: 10 lessons, entitled Thinking Like a Scientist: Drug Abuse Research and Animal Ethics on the neurobiology of drug addiction, the role of research in understanding addiction, and the ethics of animal use in research

Target Audience: middle school students and teachers

Goal: These materials are designed to provide teachers with a challenging and engaging inquiry-based science unit for middle school students. The curriculum follows scientific method principles to guide students through the lessons. Each lesson is designed to sharpen important decision-making and higher order learning skills that will inspire students to think like scientists about their everyday world.

Alignment with Standards: National Science Education Standards

Availability: Contact Terra Nova Learning Systems, LCC at info@ethicsrx.com or 1-414-475-9973

High School Teachers and Children

Simulations for Drug Related Science Education

Robert Levine, M.D.
ArchieMD
info@ArchieMD.com

Product Developed: a CD-ROM based product with simulation models that enable high school science students and others to explore the effects of drugs on the body

Target Audience: high school students and teachers

Goal: This SBIR contract uses CD-ROM technology to enhance education about drug abuse for students in high school. It consists of an interactive CD-ROM that provides 3D simulations on the effects of various drugs, including marijuana, ecstasy/club drugs, opiates, and methamphetamine on the body. The CD-ROM enables students to explore the science in a non-linear fashion while reinforcing and complementing the social influence model of substance abuse prevention with scientific knowledge to support student decision-making processes and skills.

Alignment with Standards: National Science Education Standards

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    Featured Publication

    Mentoring, A Guide for Drug Abuse Researchers publication cover

    Mentoring: A Guide for Drug Abuse Researchers

    Discusses the importance of quality mentorship in drug abuse research and offers suggestions for creating a successful mentor and mentee relationship.