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Visiting students learn about skeletal structure during STEAM Revolution at UAMS.
Local teens tour UAMS for STEAM
| Students from middle school to high school came from public housing communities in North Little Rock to the main UAMS campus in Little Rock to spend their spring break learning about the variety of careers available in medicine and to advance their knowledge of the STEAM fields: science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics.
Students got hands-on STEAM education in the UAMS Simulation Center.
Thirty-two students participated in this STEAM Revolution event, a two-day, conference-style outreach program for underserved populations created by the North Little Rock Housing Authority and co-sponsored by the he UAMS Center for Diversity Affairs, the Innovation Hub and UA Pulaski-Tech. The goal was to allow participants to learn the basics of coding, get hands-on experience at UAMS labs, take part in video production, design tee-shirts and more.
“We want to make sure that you understand what’s out there for you,” said Billy Thomas, M.D., M.P.H., vice chancellor for diversity and inclusion, welcoming participants to campus. “We’re here to help you learn, and whether you’re in middle school or high school, it’s never too early to start thinking about careers.”
The goal of the program, said Odette Woods, senior director of diversity, is not only to educate students on the wide variety of career paths in health care, but to make sure that family income, ethnicity and geography aren’t barriers preventing students from pursuing their interests.
“Programs like these are part of the pipeline that ushers in the next generation of medical professionals, ensuring diversity and equity are respected in the process,” said Woods. “Arkansas is a diverse community, and the data show health outcomes are improved when all parts of that community are engaged and represented.”
Nick Pettus, senior diversity specialist with the Center for Diversity Affairs, addresses a group of visiting students during STEAM Revolution.
After a morning welcome, students were invited to take part in a general tour of campus followed by a chance to get hands-on experience exploring the equipment in the UAMS Simulation Center and College of Nursing Simulation Center. They also got to meet and speak with staff at the Harvey & Bernice Jones Eye Institute and in the respiratory therapy program.
Those involved in planning the outreach effort said they hope the experience will stimulate the interest of participating students and encourage their studies in STEAM fields.
“Our hope is that by getting an up-close look at the variety of careers available in health care these young people will better understand their options and be inspired to redouble their interest in STEAM subjects,” said Thomas. “We hope to see them here at UAMS someday applying their talents toward bettering the health of all Arkansans.”