Understanding the importance of early exposure to medicine, Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine students partnered with Reach Out To Youth (ROTY) to deliver education to elementary students.
ROTY was held on Nov. 15 in The Habitat of The Oakland Center on the campus of Oakland University.
Hosted for the first time in 2022, ROTY provides hands-on experience for students ages 7-11 to promote interest in science, technology, engineering, math, and medicine (STEMM).
Carolyn King, M.D., co-founder of ROTY, created the program.
“When kids are involved in after school programs…they tend to have better outcomes,” said King. “The biggest takeaway from ROTY is to find that science is fun, their curiosity is natural, and as long as they want to stay curious, they will always enjoy learning. And if they enjoy learning, they are always going to do something productive.”
The plan only blossomed from there. Universities joined in on the action, and OUWB students work every year to guarantee that all attendees receive a fun, interactive, and enriching introduction to medicine.
Kaelin Ray, M3, is an example of an individual who benefitted from absorbing medical knowledge at a young age.
“I went to an event like this when I was a kid. I think it’s really cool to just get to see some of things with science and some of the things that doctors do,” said Ray. “Getting kids started young gets them in that mindset that they can do this if they really want to.”
Rose Wedemeyer, Ph.D., director of Education Training, organizes ROTY at OUWB.
“Every year, we have tremendous student leaders who take care of the content, and we’re so proud to partner with Dr. King and really look forward to continuing this partnership,” said Wedemeyer.
The theme for this year’s ROTY was muscles, in which there were five stations set up for exploration: smooth muscle, human reproduction, clinical skills, cardiac muscle, and skeletal muscle. With OUWB students dressed as superheroes, they delivered presentations and activities relating to muscles.
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| To learn about skeletal muscle, the kids dissected turkey legs while OUWB students demonstrated how pulling on a tendon causes movement. |
At the smooth muscle table, participants had to work as a team to pass as many tennis balls as possible through a 26-foot tube — resembling the length of the small intestine and the process of peristalsis. To learn about skeletal muscle, the kids dissected turkey legs while OUWB students demonstrated how pulling on a tendon causes movement. By tugging on the tendons in the leg, the toes move, showing how muscles connect to bones through tendons and producing motion.
While the kids played around with stethoscopes, shaving cream, and turkey legs, parents heard various speakers, including Tonya Bailey, Ph.D., associate dean, Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion and Community Engagement and Deirdre Reddix, Ph.D., associate dean, Faculty & Staff Affairs and Professional Development.
Bailey and Reddix, in addition to other speakers, supplied parents with the information and materials they need to support a child thinking of pursuing medicine. Delving into coursework, academic resources, and testing tips were just a few of the points delivered.
For Joshua Thomas, M3, it was his third round as a volunteer for the ROTY event.
“I really enjoy teaching the kids ... and this is how I got interested in medicine…So taking it back to the roots of how it sort of all began for me makes me want to empower and inspire these kids,” said Thomas.
Three M2 students worked in collaboration with Wedemeyer to achieve the successful day: Wanees Hannah, Shannon McCarty, and Janee Hitaj.
“I thought when I came last year that it was such a fun and great opportunity,” said McCarty. “I had similar ones [youth medical events] at the college I attended in Florida, so when I saw that it was also happening here, I was super excited to sign up.”
Parents, guardians, and grandparents who brought younger ones to the program expressed appreciation and excitement for it.
“I have three kids here: two are my nieces, and one is my daughter…I think that it is a great opportunity for them to learn,” said Daniela Popaj, of Macomb County. “Everyone wishes for their child to be successful in life.”
Reaya Richardson, of Pontiac, shared similar thoughts.
“I had previously brought my son here before…he is into science, I am into science, and he wanted to come to this event,” said Richardson. “He can learn early on things that he can do when he is older as well as learning that what you do with your career can also help people in your community. And learning how to help your community at a young age will help into adulthood.”
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