Health Science Connection for

K-12 Educators 

Preparing Montana's Students for Careers in Healthcare
In This Issue
Lesson Idea: Aspirin & Acid Stomach
Job Shadowing
Wellness Webinar
Flu Season is Coming!
Career Spotlight: Geriatric Staff Nurse
AHEC Basics
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Montana AHECs will be at the MEA/MFT Annual Convention
October 21 - 22 in Helena. Take a moment to stop by our booth and learn more about ways the AHECs can partner with you at your school!

Stop by our booth and register to win an AMAZON KINDLE!  

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Issue: # 19October/2010

 Connecting Students to Health Careers

Aspirations

Greetings!

Helping Students Aspire 
When it comes down to it, this is the heart of teaching. We love our subject matter, get bogged down in paperwork and frustrated by behaviors; we feel squeezed for time; we worry about our students..and in the end, knowing that a student has been helped by our efforts-- that is what keeps most of us inspired, passionate about teaching, and excited about our work.

Students learn best when their education is relevant; the health sciences are a fantastic link to real-world, hands-on opportunities in the "here and now" AND to opportunities for work and higher education in the future.

Take a look at the resources in this e-news. We at Montana's AHECs hope that you will find them helpful as you find ways to stay inspired -- and help your students aspire to dream big! 
Lesson Idea: Aspirin and Acid Stomach

Aspirin

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Purpose:
To develop an understanding of how aspirin works and how understanding it's interaction with other chemicals in the body aided doctors in medical research.

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Context:

This lesson is intended for a high-school, introductory chemistry class or health class. To complete the lesson, students must understand acids and bases. The lesson does provide for instruction in acids and bases if it is necessary. The lesson begins with an article on the history of the development of aspirin. Students will then complete a lab that compares the reaction of regular aspirin, buffered aspirin, and enteric aspirin in neutral, acidic, and basic solutions. They will then analyze the results of the experiment to gain insight into how this information was used by researchers to solve some of the problems associated with aspirin.


To view the complete lesson plan and access the reproducible resources, materials lists, and directions, visit ScienceNetLinks HERE.
Shadowing Matters
Some Hows and Whys of Job ShadowingShadows
 

"The number one suggestion to help students  get a jump on their healthcare education was the importance of shadowing, internships, and service learning...the real-life exposure to health care" ~ American Medical Association

 

Maybe you've heard that job shadowing health professionals can be a very valuable experience for students. Maybe you'd like to help your students find and successfully engage in job shadowing in your community. Below are some suggestions for getting started, and helping students get started, with getting first-hand exposure to the world of work and to a diversity of careers.

Will students really be welcome?
Many health practitioners are very open to students observing them at work. After all, most are enthusiastic about their chosen profession! And increasingly, many will have spent time shadowing as part of their own education. Health care facilities have strict but straightforward policies about students observing. Outbreaks of illness (like last year's H1N1 flu) may cause facilities to deny students access, but usually students who complete any required paperwork and provide documentation of required health conditions (usually immunizations and TB testing) will be welcomed.

How and where?
A phone call to the hospital or clinic's HR department or person, or volunteer coordinator, is usually the first step to getting the job shadowing ball rolling. Your regional AHEC office can also point you toward the appropriate contact. Remember that facilities other than hospitals may be valuable sites for job shadowing: try a veterinary clinic, Community Health Center, Physical Therapy clinic, dentist's office, or pharmacy.


What do students need to know?
First and foremost, job shadowing is a great opportunity and a privilege.The practitioner's priority is the care of the patient. It is up to the student to make the most of the experience. Make sure the student knows they will need to:
* Be on time
* Dress appropriately
* Be a "shadow" when the practitioner is busy; ask questions when appropriate
* Maintain confidentiality about what they see and hear
* Leave the room if asked to do so by the patient or practitioner.

Finally, many students are eager to see and experience the "high-drama" aspects of health care -- the ER, or surgery. Students should know that often these areas are more difficult to get permission to observe. 

For more information about job shadowing, read this white paper on Job Shadowing, prepared by the Junior Achievement League, or contact your regional AHEC office.
Wellness Webinar
 

Improving Student Wellness with the Healthier US School Challenge
 
Thursday, October 14th at 3:30pm (Mountain Time)
 
Registration details:
https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/735933747 
 
Call in: (888) 617-3400. Room: 695912
 
Presented By:
Katie Bark, RD, LN and Molly Stenberg, RD, LN of Montana Team Nutrition Program (Montana State University)
and Montana school wellness champions from around the state.
  
Find out how the HealthierUS School Challenge creates a school-wide commitment to student wellness through enhancing nutritious food and beverage offerings, and strengthening nutrition education and physical activity opportunities.  Hear from Montana award winners on the benefits to taking the challenges and their tips for success.

Flu Season is Coming...

    Free Webinar from PBS Teachers

Helping Kids Understand Viruses and Vaccinations with Sid the Science Kid

Sid washing his hands

Educators play an important role in helping students stay healthy during the cold and flu season. On Tuesday, November 17, 2009 PBS Teachers and Classroom 2.0 hosted a free webinar for educators to gain information and learn strategies for helping students better understand viruses and vaccinations and how to stay healthy. During the Webinar, Dr. Cyrus Rangan, Medical Toxicologist for the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, shared information about the H1N1 and seasonal flus, including signs and symptoms and techniques for prevention. Moises Roman, Preschool Center Director and Educational Consultant for Sid the Science Kid, shared information about resources from Sid the Science Kid that can help educators provide age-appropriate information to students.


Through Elluminate (an online platform for distance education) the recorded version of the webinar is available at no charge. The webinar, which is about two hours in duration, is available at PBS Teachers.

Career Spotlight: Geriatric Staff Nurse

 

Geriatic NurseNurses who work in the field of geriatrics, also known as gerontology, focus on caring for older adults. This is a high-demand practice area, because older people are more likely to require health services. Half of all hospital admissions are for patients over age 65, but only 1% of nurses are certified in geriatrics.


In addition, geriatric nursing is a fast-growing career, because Americans are living longer. The post-WWII "Baby Boomer" generation is just now hitting retirement age. According to the U.S. Census, by 2050 more than 20% of Americans - 88 million people - will be over age 65. Geriatric nurses are educated to understand and treat the often complex physical and mental health needs of older people. They try to help their patients protect their health and cope with changes in their mental and physical abilities, so older people can stay independent and active as long as possible.


In working with an older patient, a geriatric nurse will:
- Assess the patient's mental status and cognitive (thinking) skills

- Understand patient's acute and chronic health issues
- Organize medications
- Educate the patient about personal safety and disease prevention
- Explain and recommend adjustments to the patient's medication regimen to ensure adherence
- Link the patient with local resources as needed

Many older people have health conditions that do not require hospitalization, but must be treated with medication, changes in diet, use of special equipment (such as a blood sugar monitor or walker), daily exercises or other adaptations. Geriatric nurses help design and explain these healthcare regimens to patients and their families. They often function as "case managers," linking families with community resources to help them care for elderly members.

AHEC - The Basics
 
This E-News is being sent to you by the Montana Area Health Education Centers (AHECs) in order to open a dialogue among educators about Health Science Education for K-12 students of Montana. Through this newsletter we intend to:
 
1) build a shared resource of activities, materials, and lesson plans to draw on in teaching the health sciences 
 
2) highlight the cross-curriculum nature of the health sciences 
 
3) build an interest in and awareness of health career paths for students in the state of Montana
 
Please contact us with your comments, ideas, questions or projects you'd like to see highlighted in future issues of this e-newsletter. And thank you for the work you do every day to inspire and support Montana kids!
Montana AHEC
Sincerely,
 

Montana AHECs (Area Health Education Centers)