YES Oklahoma: Building Pathways into Cancer Research and Public Health for Indigenous High School Students

Youth Enjoy Science (YES) Oklahoma (OK) Scholars is an eight-week summer program that engages American Indian high school students in cancer and biomedical research. YES OK uses a relational, place-informed educational model, with a curriculum that emphasizes (1) increasing cancer biology and public health knowledge, (2) developing laboratory and scientific communication skills, (3) strengthening college and career preparation, and (4) connecting scientific learning to cultural and community contexts. YES OK Scholars offers two university courses for general education credit and integrates on- campus lectures and laboratory research experiences, with virtual instruction to increase accessibility. Long-term sustainability is supported through near-peer and community networks, where current and former Scholars contribute to recruitment, mentorship, and community engagement. Implementing a place-informed curriculum posed logistical and institutional challenges; however, through ongoing program adjustments, partnership development, and new partnerships, YES OK developed an ethically transferable framework for increasing Indigenous student participation in cancer research. This paper reports outcomes and implementation challenges since program inception.