About Oncofertility Saturday Academy
ONCOFERTILITY SATURDAY ACADEMY
The Oncofertility Saturday Academy is divided into the Junior Oncofertility Saturday Academy (JOSA) and the Senior Oncofertility Saturday Academy (SOSA) to model the translational nature of science. JOSA focuses on the basic science research occurring in the field of oncofertility. Laboratory learning experiences include mouse ovary dissections, ovarian follicle encapsulation, DNA analysis, immunohistochemistry, in vitro fertilization, and developmental processes of sea urchins and frogs. SOSA focuses on the clinical applications being practiced in the field of oncofertility. Clinical learning experiences include performing breast and pelvic exams on simulation models, operating the daVinci surgical robot under the supervision of surgeons, and performing embryology techniques. Bioethical learning experiences occur in both JOSA and SOSA and include presentations of oncofertility research questions and case studies. Bioethicists facilitate and guide the high school students to apply an ethical framework to discuss the various perspectives connected to the field of oncofertility. The health risk-behavior workshops of OSA focus on sexual behavior to prevent teen pregnancy.
OSA Design, stakeholders, and goals
OSA was the first WHSP academy. It was first offered in 2007 to a group of 16 high school girls from Young Women’s Leadership Charter School of Chicago. Learn more about the founding story of WHSP. The foundation of the OSA is the high school-university science community model. Learn more about why the WHSP model was created. High school students/alumnae, their parents/guardians, science professionals, and university students have defined and active roles in OSA. Learn more about the stakeholders of the Oncofertility Saturday Academy.
OSA consists of seven modules that are delivered on consecutive Saturdays in the months of February and March. Learn more about the design of OSA. OSA is designed specifically for high school girls to: (1) experience laboratory and clinical procedures conducted in the field of oncofertility; (2) explore and prepare for careers in the field of oncofertility; (3) develop science mentoring relationships with science professionals and university students who research and practice in the field of oncofertility; and (4) to be empowered with women’s health knowledge that is embedded in the field of oncofertility. Learn more about the goals of OSA.
Osa academy leader
Teresa Woodruff, PhD, the Thomas J. Watkins Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Executive Director of the Oncofertility Consortium, is the OSA academy leader. Oncofertility, a term coined by Dr. Woodruff, is a new scientific discipline aimed at developing and providing new fertility preservation options to young men, women, and children who have been diagnosed with cancer or other serious diseases and who must undergo potentially fertility-threatening treatment. Dr. Woodruff's role as academy leader includes collaborating with education management to set the direction of the academy curriculum. She identifies fellow scientists and clinicians in her department to facilitate the authentic science and health learning experiences to the high school students in the state-of-the-art research and clinical facilities at Northwestern University.
