TSCORE is a training program designed for Career and Technical Education (CTE) health science teachers. Teachers receive 85 hours of professional development on health disparities, project–based learning and curriculum development. Pedagogical support is provided during the year by University of Kansas Medical Center (KUMC) researchers as teachers use newly created curricular units to guide students in inquiry and engage them in developing community-based interventions to improve health outcomes for their people.

The UERC is examining the impact of the program on teachers and students. Changes in teacher pedagogical practices, engagement and retention, as well as student academic performance, self-efficacy and interest in pursuing health science careers, are being tracked. Preliminary results have been published in the CTE Journal (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6625782/) and the Journal of STEM Outreach (https://www.jstemoutreach.org/article/9209-teachers-perceptions-of-using-health-disparities-content-to-engage-high-school-students-in-urban-communities).

The collaborative project is funded by the National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) Science Education Partnership Awards (SEPA) and includes faculty from KUMC, the University of Kansas and the University of Missouri-Kansas City, as well as teachers and students from USD 500 (Kansas City), USD 259 (Wichita) and USD 501 (Topeka).