About OSA
ONCOFERTILITY SATURDAY ACADEMY
Oncofertility Saturday Academy students and directors in 2009.Oncofertility Saturday Academy (OSA) is a two-year science program for high school girls to explore the basic science, clinical applications, and careers in reproductive science, cancer biology, and oncofertility. OSA was initiated in 2007 by the Northwestern University and Young Women's Leadership Charter School (YWLCS) of Chicago Science Partnership. The first year of the program is called the Junior Oncofertility Saturday Academy (JOSA), offered only to YWLCS 11th grade students, and the second year is called the Senior Oncofertility Saturday Academy (SOSA), offered only to YWLCS 12th grade students. Parents/guardians of the students are encouraged to participate in the Parent Oncofertility Saturday Academy (POSA) to share experiences and communicate about science, academic programs and careers in science and medicine with their daughters. Oncofertility refers to an interdisciplinary and interprofessional approach to developing and providing new fertility preservation options to young men, women, and children who have been diagnosed with cancer or other serious disease and who must undergo potentially fertility-threatening treatment.
ACADEMY GOALS
Goals for High School Girls:
- Learn and apply science concepts and scientific processing skills by doing hands-on laboratory and clinical activities.
- Explore and prepare for college academic programs and careers in the fields of science and medicine.
- Develop relationships with graduate and medical students, scientists, doctors and other professionals.
- Be empowered with women's health knowledge to make informed, authoritative decisions about personal health and to share with peers, family and communities.
Goals for Parents/Guardians of the High School Girls:
- Develop awareness, knowledge, and skills to support their daughter's interest and pursuits in science and medicine.
ACADEMY DIRECTORS AND COORDINATOR
OSA Directors
Teresa Woodruff, Ph.D.
The Thomas Watkins Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Director and Founder, The Oncofertility Consortium
Megan Faurot, M.Ed.
Director of Education Programs
Institute for Women's Health Research
Student Affairs and Partnership Coordinator
Melissa Resh, M.Ed.
Science Educator
Young Women's Leadership Charter School
