Frontiers for Young Minds (FYM) is an award-winning science engagement journal whose primary aim is to inspire young audiences by providing them with scientific information to evoke critical thoughts and questions about real science relevant to their lives. To realize this aim, FYM makes cutting-edge science accessible to young audiences through the collaborative co-creation of knowledge translation outputs by scientists and young people. Additionally, FYM directs and trains children and youth ages 8 to 15 years to serve as science reviewers. The journal connects the Young Reviewers with a Science Mentor and assigns the pair to peer review an article submitted for publication.

While we recognize the wealth of scientific research and knowledge stemming from our pediatric cancer community in Canada, we similarly acknowledge the paucity of knowledge mobilization tools and resources available to engage with, involve or educate the pediatric members of our community on ongoing research activities and their respective impact.

As such, we are excited to collaborate with FYM to introduce the global childhood community through the creation of a special collection that is entirely dedicated to pediatric cancer and reflective of the broad research being conducted across the ACCESS network.

Objectives:

1. Curate a special ACCESS collection of the FYM that includes at least one research article from each of the ACCESS themes and groups
2. Engage and mentor pediatric members of our pediatric cancer community in Canada, including patients, survivors, siblings, and friends of patients and survivors, and bereaved siblings and friends, to serve as Young Reviewers
3. Provide mentorship opportunities to our scientific stakeholders as Science Mentors
4. Provide an experiential learning opportunity to our scientific stakeholders on the development of non-technical knowledge mobilization outputs

Ultimately, the special ACCESS will enhance the development of child-focused knowledge mobilization materials, specifically highlighting pediatric cancer research activities and discoveries. It will also expand the national and global influence of research projects led by scientific stakeholders within Canada’s pediatric cancer community. Additionally, the collection will strengthen health and research literacy among pediatric community members while increasing awareness of innovative knowledge translation and dissemination methods available to scientific stakeholders.

For more information, please contact Tricia Schneider.