Project Title: Researching Prevention Programs for Sexually Transmitted Diseases
Project Author: Doug Ferguson (South Mountain)
Abstract: Write a concise summary with descriptive information about your project, location, time span, your relationship to it, etc. Include specific information-- since you have completed your project, your knowledge is valuable and can be shared with your colleagues.
The project was a three and a half week timeline to gather research information on prevention programs for sexually transmitted diseases (STD). The information was gathered by doing research on articles, books and websites at the ASU Hayden Library and community centers. Included in the research were personal interviews with doctors and health experts in the field of STDs. The information gathered and data generated indicated there are preventative programs in place but much more work needs to be completed.
Outcomes: In a paragraph or two describe what worked well. Did you accomplish your objective(s)? Were you able to complete your summer project as written? If not, what did you modify and why? What did not go as well as expected, if anything? Were there any surprises? Note: Use the questions as guides for your outcomes. Do not include detailed list of workshops attended, speakers who presented, or a list of items you have seen, heard, or read.
Considering STD’s are the single greatest health threat affecting our youth the project indicated there are prevention programs in place. Although a great deal of information was gathered from researching websites it was the author’s feeling that interviews with doctors and community health experts were the most effective in identifying prevention strategies. A noted surprise of the research was the identification of so many strains of STD’s that prevention programs need to address. The project was completed as indicted in the proposal but a lot more time was spent interviewing professionals in the STD health field.
Professional Growth: Your own professional growth is a large part of your project. Your professional growth is important to you, your students, your college, and possibly other colleagues. How did project affect you professionally? What skills did you learn? What environments were you working in and how might your summer project influence your teaching or other responsibilities? Did you gain a different perspective? Was it professionally valuable for you?
The summer project allowed me to improve my skills in researching, writing, presentation of materials and increased my knowledge about STD’s and their prevention programs. My professional side was enhanced by having a much broader knowledge of STD’s and the impact it has on our youth as the greatest single health threat. The information gathered from this project has broaden my knowledge and will help make me a much better instructor in the class in presenting the most updated information concerning STD’s.
Dissemination: How will you share this information with your colleagues, department, students, or college?
I look forward to sharing this information with my classes as well as with community organizations. I will attempt to get an action group started in my HES100 where by we will talk to high school students about STD’s and prevention.
For more information about this project, check out the "package" in the Maricopa Learning eXchange:
http://www.mcli.dist.maricopa.edu/mlx/slip.php?item=01868