School: Voyager Middle School
City: Everett, WA

Principle Investigator: Ron Roffman, Ph.D.
Department: School of Social Work
Institution: University of Washington

Project Description
My experience with Starnet:Teacher Research Experience involved my working with Roger Roffman, a professor with the School of Social Work, at the University of Washington. Funding of a NIDA grant was used to develop a project named "The Teen Marijuana Check-Up." The project is a motivational enhancement approach to dealing with teens that use marijuana. Some youth are ambivalent about the effects of marijuana in their personal lives. The TMCU project is designed to create a setting where students can explore their involvement with marijuana in a nonjudgmental environment and then discuss strategies and receive support for change.

My work involved research, design and development of a classsroom presentation. The presentation is used by a trained presenter, speaking to students in high school health classes. An attempt has been made to create an environment for open discussion of the topic of marijuana and for the students to receive up-to-date information regarding the health and behavioral effects of marijuana. Students who smoke marijuana are given an opportunity to participate.

This summer experience has been very beneficial for me. I plan to use what I have learned in my classes this next school year. Specifically, I will attempt to relate the importance of research, the scientific method, and bridge the gap between learning in the classroom and real world work environments.