Forum 20 Feature: Learning to Become an Everyday Scientist

From the time we were babies, we all learned how to try things and observe whether or not something works. But did you know you can apply those skills to your local substance abuse prevention efforts? It's called being an "everyday scientist." During CADCA's 20th Annual National Leadership Forum, learn how to apply the principles of an everyday scientist to deploy and measure the impact of drug prevention efforts in your community.

Dr. Dennis Embry, President and CEO of the PAXIS Institute, said it doesn’t take a lot of money or a science degree to be an everyday scientist.

“Everyone is an everyday scientist. That’s why babies put everything in their mouth to find out if it’s good to eat. If a baby can do it, then adults can do it,” Dr. Embry explained. “Being an everyday scientist means that you can use everyday behavior to decide whether or not something is working. For example, you would not need a randomized control group study to demonstrate the efficacy of parachutes or toilet paper.”

During a workshop entitled, “Becoming an Everyday Scientist to Change the World” led by Dr. Embry, participants will learn about evidence-based kernels that can use used to solve local prevention problems for all ages; two basic, easy-to-use everyday scientist experimental designs that can used with individuals, at schools, in neighborhoods and the whole community; and how to apply the everyday scientist ideas to several issues coalitions deal with in the community.

Dr. Embry noted that virtually every evidence-based substance abuse prevention program has its roots in an everyday scientist. For example, the Good Behavior Game, a popular program used to reduce problem behavior in the classroom, was initially tested in a classroom across subject matters using an everyday scientist model.

“First, students were observed in a class, then they would do an intervention and observe how the students behaved after the intervention. This experiment was done by a teacher and that study is cited more than any other prevention science study in the world,” Dr. Embry pointed out.

He said he hopes the workshop provides coalition leaders with the knowledge and inspiration to become an everyday scientist and use that to improve the lives of millions of children and teens and families in their communities.

This is one of more than 100 workshops that will be held at CADCA’s 20th Annual National Leadership Forum. The Forum will take place at the Gaylord National Hotel and Convention Center, just minutes outside Washington, D.C., on Feb. 8-11, 2010. This year's theme, “Coalitions At Work: Restoring Communities,” focuses on what community coalitions do best—mobilize communities and implement evidence-based practices.

To learn more about this and other workshops at the CADCA Forum, visit the Forum Web site. Register now!.