U.S. Department of Health and Human Services NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH NIH News NIH Office of the Director (OD) http://www.nih.gov/icd/od/ Office of Science Education (OSE) http://science.education.nih.gov/ FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Friday, June 9, 2006 CONTACT: Dr. David Vannier, 301-496-8741, vannier@xxxxxxxxxx NIH RELEASES THREE FREE CURRICULUM SUPPLEMENTS FOR MIDDLE SCHOOL TEACHERS AS PART OF ACCLAIMED SERIES Bethesda, Maryland -- The National Institutes of Health (NIH), part of the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), is releasing its latest installments in a popular series of curriculum supplements designed to promote inquiry-based, interdisciplinary learning and stimulate students' interest in science. NIH -- the primary federal agency for conducting and supporting medical research -- distributes these supplements free of charge to teachers, allowing them to update their curricula with all-in-one teaching materials that incorporate topical issues and current scientific research. Each new supplement is a self-contained teacher's guide to two weeks of lessons on science and human health, and includes background information, lesson plans, take-home materials, and a Web-based component. The new titles (listed below) are aligned with the National Science Education Standards released by the 'National Academy of Sciences". -- "Doing Science: The Process of Scientific Inquiry" -- Students explore the basics of scientific inquiry, refine their critical-thinking skills, and learn to appreciate the purpose of scientific research. (For grades 7 & 8) -- "Looking Good, Feeling Good: From the Inside Out (Exploring Bone, Muscle, and Skin)" -- Students learn about the structures of the musculoskeletal and skin systems, the interactions between these body systems, and the factors that influence their functions. (For grades 7 & 8) -- "The Science of Mental Illness" -- Students gain insight into the biological basis of mental illness and how scientific evidence and research can help us understand its causes and lead to treatments and, ultimately, cures. (For grades 6, 7, & 8) NIH produced these modules in partnership with curriculum developers from Biological Sciences Curriculum Study (BSCS), a nonprofit corporation located in Colorado Springs, CO. A team of top scientists and educators developed the modules, which were field-tested by teachers and students across the country. To request these curriculum supplements or learn more about this series, visit the NIH Office of Science Education Website at http://science.education.nih.gov/supplements. The Office of the Director, the central office at NIH, is responsible for setting policy for NIH, which includes 27 Institutes and Centers. This involves planning, managing, and coordinating the programs and activities of all NIH components. The Office of the Director also includes program offices which are responsible for stimulating specific areas of research throughout NIH. Additional information is available at http://www.nih.gov/icd/od/. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) -- "The Nation's Medical Research Agency" -- includes 27 Institutes and Centers and is a component of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. It is the primary federal agency for conducting and supporting basic, clinical and translational medical research, and it investigates the causes, treatments, and cures for both common and rare diseases. For more information about NIH and its programs, visit www.nih.gov. ## This NIH News Release is available online at: http://www.nih.gov/news/pr/jun2006/od-09.htm. To subscribe (or unsubscribe) from this list, go to http://list.nih.gov/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=nihpress&A=1.
