News :: Vanderbilt Center for Science Outreach

The Vanderbilt AIDS Outreach ("AIDSO") team presented their first interactive videoconference to high schools in Massachusetts and Louisiana through the Center for Science Outreach's Virtual Scientist Program this afternoon. Prior to the videoconference, students were asked to fill in a "pre-test" to find out their basic understanding of HIV/AIDS-related topics and during the videoconference they discussed the answers and their questions with AIDSO team members. Following the videoconference, students and teachers were asked to complete an evaluation, describing their experience and suggesting what impact the program may have had on them. As an ongoing resource, students and teachers have the option to confidentially ask additional questions of the AIDSO team by emailing vandyAIDSO@gmail.com. With the help of HIV-positive people from Nashville Cares — a non-profit agency in Middle Tennessee that "promotes and participates in a comprehensive and compassionate response to HIV and AIDS through education, advocacy, and supportive services" — the AIDSO team has just completed a video, "Living with HIV," that is now available for viewing online (view in Windows Media | QuickTime [coming soon]). Also, listen to Brenna Simon's interview on a recent Snacks4theBrain! podcast.

The one-room schoolhouse is alive again in Arkansas thanks to the Aspirnauts Initiative that was officially launched on April 10, 2007. Students at Sheridan Schools received Apple iPods and Apple MacBooks to use during their up to three hour commute to and from school each day. Their school bus is equipped with wireless internet access, allowing them to email teachers at their school and/or scientists at Vanderbilt University or other schools their class may partner with. See a video from Little Rock's KTHV 11 story on the program (click here to view in Windows Media Player).