One of the main goals of the Oncofertility Saturday Academy (OSA) of Chicago is to provide a multifaceted support network to the high school female participants that will help prepare and foster their academic and career pursuits. The support network provided directly from Northwestern University and Young Women’s Leadership Charter, includes the scientists, clinicians, medical and graduate students and educators. Beyond the walls of these two academic institutions, it has been the parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and siblings of the high school girls who have played a key role in the development of this support network. Since the initiation of OSA, it has been the parents/guardians of the high school girls who have made the sacrifices and arrangements to attend the informational meetings, to pick up the high school girls from the after-school workshops during the work week, and to drop off the high school girls bright and early at 7:15 am on Saturday mornings to catch the bus to attend the Northwestern University sessions. It is because of this support from the parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and siblings of the high school girls that OSA of Chicago is having the inaugural Parent Oncofertility Saturday Academy (POSA) this coming Saturday, March 7, 2009 from 12:00 – 5:00 p.m. Northwestern University is actively preparing to host the 29 high school student participants and 58 parents/guardians. The students and parents/guardians will be bused to and from Young Women’s Leadership Charter School to enjoy lunch and participate in workshops led by Northwestern faculty, staff, and students. The parents/guardians will learn about the following:
· Scientific and medical concepts the high school girls learned during the OSA.
· Academic programs, funding opportunities and coursework requirements needed for the high school girls to pursue a degree in science or medicine.
· Variety of science and medical career options that are available to the high school girls.
While the parents/guardians participate in their workshops, the high school girls will be working on their oncofertility group projects that will be showcased at the program graduation and posted to the OSA website. Northwestern University is looking very forward to providing this opportunity to the parents/guardians. We hope that the parents/guardian gain valuable knowledge and skills to continue supporting the 29 high school girls as they continue to pursue their academic and career goals. Next week, visit the OSA website (osa.northwestern.edu) to view the photographs that will be taken at the inaugural Parent Oncofertility Saturday Academy (POSA).