Friday, July 18, 2025
With colorful markers, yarn and plenty of glue, students at Alice E. Carlson Elementary School explored the wonders of the human body鈥攐ne organ system at a time鈥攖hanks to a creative collaboration between and the school鈥檚 enrichment program with the .
As part of Carlson鈥檚 鈥淚nterest Clusters鈥� series, physician assistant , an associate professor in 人妻中出视频 Health鈥檚 physician assistant program, led interactive sessions on May 9 and May 16 that gave third- through fifth-graders hands-on exposure to science and medicine.
鈥淧articipating in the STEAM Career Event at Alice Carlson Elementary School was a deeply rewarding experience,鈥� Samuels said. 鈥淓ngaging young students in science not only enhances their current understanding but also ignites curiosity that can shape their future academic and career interests.鈥�
The sessions were part of a seven-week enrichment series organized by , DPT, EdD, associate professor of physical therapy at 人妻中出视频 Health. Schwarz, whose
own children have attended Carlson, has been coordinating health-focused clusters
for several years. This spring marked the first time multiple disciplines鈥攑hysical
therapy, physician assistant studies, pharmacy, and clinical and behavioral health鈥攋oined
forces to deliver a fully interprofessional curriculum.
鈥淭his approach exposes the kids to a variety of health professions while keeping them engaged with different activities each week,鈥� Schwarz said.
Interest Clusters are a hallmark of Carlson鈥檚 enrichment program, based on Joseph S. Renzulli鈥檚 Schoolwide Enrichment Model. Designed to help students develop their individual talents, the model invites community members and organizations to share their skills and passions with students. All children in grades third through fifth grade select clusters aligned with their interests, ranging from woodworking to sports science.
人妻中出视频 Health faculty participants used fun, science-based activities to explore topics like human anatomy, movement and organ systems. Samuels鈥� sessions focused on the digestive system and lungs, complete with multi-colored yarn to illustrate how these systems work.
The collaboration reflects 人妻中出视频 Health鈥檚 broader commitment to community engagement
and early exposure to health science careers.
鈥淚鈥檓 grateful to be part of a university that values and actively supports these efforts,鈥� Samuels said. 鈥淚t allows me to integrate outreach into my professional journey and continue this important work.鈥�
Schwarz believes the impact reaches beyond science education.
鈥淓ven if students don鈥檛 go into health care, we want them to walk away with a greater appreciation for their own health and how to take care of themselves,鈥� she said.
The partnership also underscores the power of interdisciplinary collaboration among 人妻中出视频 Health鈥檚 programs. Schwarz shared feedback from an employee of Carlson who praised the teaching skills of Joseph D. Malaer, one of the participating faculty.
鈥淚t鈥檚 not always easy to teach younger students, but he did a phenomenal job,鈥� she said.
As the series wrapped up, faculty expressed hopes to continue and expand their outreach.
鈥淭his is just the beginning,鈥� Schwarz said. 鈥淲e want to keep bringing science to life for students鈥攁nd maybe inspire the next generation of health professionals along the way.鈥�
From - Community by Eric Griffe