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| Issue: # 28 |
October /2011
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Connecting Students to Health Careers
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| Greetings!
Helping Students Reach their Potential!
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 AHECs hope that you will find them helpful as you find ways to stay inspired -- and help your students aspire to dream big!
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This month's Spotlight Lesson: Oral Health: Watch Your Mouth!
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Halloween Sweets Can Be Tough on Teeth (and toothbrushes are too expensive to give out for trick-or-treats)
Focus: Enamel is the hardest substance in the human body. This enamel cap covers and protects the dentin and keeps the teeth strong and healthy. During the course of our lives our teeth are perpetually undergoing the processes of demineralization and remineralization. Food intake and oral habits contribute to these processes. It is important for students to understand the chemical interactions taking place as well as what they can do to decrease demineralization and increase remineralization.
Objective: Students will be able to: compare the effects of demineralization on fluoride-treated and non-treated substances
Keywords: fluoride, fluoride gel, observation, demineralization, disease prevention
Activity Description: The students will observe how fluoride affects the teeth. Explain to the students that the observation will be done by using two eggs. The eggs are used because the shells of the egg are close in make up to the minerals found in the enamel of the teeth. Mark an "F" on one egg. This egg will be treated with a fluoride gel prior to being submerged in vinegar. The second egg will not be treated with the fluoride gel. It is also submerged in vinegar. Explain that vinegar is being used because it's an acid very similar to the acid found in their mouths. Students will set up time intervals to come in to the classroom to test their group eggs. The observations should be completed by the next class meeting. Students will be testing the hardness of the shells by touching the shells with a pin. Have the recorder in each group record the group observations. Allow at least twelve hours for the untreated fluoride egg to soften. As a group make a chart showing how often the egg was checked and the observation at each time point.
For More Information: TEACHHEALTHK-12@UTHSCSA.EDU
or visit the website.
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Eastern Montana AHEC Events
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Eastern MT AHEC Bringing Health Science Education to Students
With the help of the Billings HOSA (Health Occupations Students of America) and volunteer medical students, the Eastern MT Area Health Education Center was able to provide a "health career photo booth" and puppet shows at "Saturday Live" (the Billings Public Schools fundraiser) and the Stillwater community health fair in Columbus.
On November 1st, Billings area elementary age students will have the opportunity to attend "Dr. Kaboom", a science show at the Alberta Bair theater, partially sponsored by the Eastern MT Area Health Education Center. Contact the Alberta Bair for show times and more information.
Come visit the Eastern MT Area Health Education Center booth at the B.I.G. (Believe In Girls) event on November 19th at the Shrine Auditorium in Billings. The event is free, and will include lots of fun hands on activities for girls and boys.
For more information on these events, please contact Cass Station at cass.sta@riverstonehealth.org
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Education Spotlight: EMS/Paramedic
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EMS/Paramedic Degrees Available at Montana Schools
People's lives often depend on the quick reaction and competent care of emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and paramedics. Paramedics have additional advanced training to perform more difficult pre-hospital medical procedures. Incidents as varied as automobile accidents, heart attacks, drownings, childbirth, and gunshot wounds all require immediate medical attention. EMTs and paramedics provide this vital attention as they care for and transport the sick or injured to a medical facility. 
EMS/Paramedic degrees are available in Montana at the following schools:
Flathead Valley Community College
MSU Great Falls COT
MSU Billings COT
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Curriculum In-A-Box
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Brains, Guts, Eyes, Ear, Muscles and Bones...Oh My!
 Our curriculum boxes contain a wealth of resources and lessons related to the human body, body systems, health, diseases and prevention, and health careers. The trunks are designed for grades 4 - 8, but the materials and lessons are easily adaptable for older and younger students. These boxes are approved by OPI and can be used by teachers, counselors, administrators and/or parents. The boxes may also be used by high school organizations such as HOSA, National Honor Society, Key Club, After School programs, Youth programs, etc. as an educational project for younger students.
The boxes are free of charge. Contact your regional AHEC to arrange delivery. To reserve a curriculum box and/or obtain a list of box contents visit: http://mtahec_inabox.airset.com/
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REACH Camps
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Healthcare Career Exploration for High School Students
 REACH (Research and Explore Awesome Careers in Healthcare) camps are in full swing across the state! Check out the schedule below!
Upcoming REACH camps in North Central Montana:
Fort Benton, Geraldine, & Highwood - November 2nd (for 30, 8th graders)
Conrad & Heart Butte - November 8th (for 36, 7th and 8th graders)
Cut Bank & Valier - November 16th (for 30, 9-10th graders)
For more information, contact Morgen Greely: morgen@mtha.org 
Upcoming REACH camps in Eastern Montana:
Sidney - October 5th (open to all 11th and 12th graders in
Richland county)
Poplar/Wolf Point - October 25th (open to 9th -12th graders in Poplar and Wolf Point)
Miles City - November 7th (open to 9th and 10th graders from Custer, Garfield, Fallon, Prairie, Powder River, and Carter counties)
Upcoming REACH camps are being planned for Lewistown, Hardin and Roundup... stay tuned for more information. Students can contact Cass Staton: cass.sta@riverstonehealth.org, or their school counselors for more information.
Upcoming REACH camps in South Central Montana:
Ennis - December 1st (open to 9-12th graders from Ennis)
Dillon - December 2nd (open to 9-12th graders from Dillon and Lima)
Students can contact Bergen Morehouse, bergen@mtha.org for more information.
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North Central AHEC Health Fairs
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Scavenger Hunts During Health Fairs
The North Central AHEC office is planning their "Health Fair Scavenger Hunts" for 7-12th graders. These took place at the following locations:
- Big Sandy Noon-3pm Oct. 25th
- Geraldine Noon-3pm Oct. 26th
- Fort Benton Noon - 6pm Oct. 27th
For more information, contact Morgen Greely: morgen@mtha.org
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In-A-Box In Use!
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Eyeballs, Eye Sight, and Optical Illusions
 The NC AHEC office participated in the second annual, half day health science program for 4-6th grade students at Choteau Elementary School.
Using the ever popular curriculum boxes, AHEC staff set up stations with hands on activities to learn about healthy lifestyle choices, common eye diseases, introduction to Braille reading and writing, and health career exploration. In the spirit of Halloween, students deciphered optical illusions and received "freaky" eye goggles.
 Does your school have a science day? Or health day? Let us know & we would be happy to bring our curriculum boxes to present to your students! Check out our website to reserve a free curriculum box or for detailed information: www.ncmtahec.org
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Career Spotlight: Environmental Health Advocate
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 Researchers are learning more every day about the steps we can take to protect our health and extend our lives. New studies are revealing how changes in diet and lifestyle can help reduce the risk of many health problems such as cancer and heart disease.
Environmental Health Advocates are public health officials who work to identify potential threats to public health, increase awareness about the situation, and give people the facts they need to protect their health. Environmental health advocates partner with health care professionals to establish health guidelines, which they then promote through local, state and national awareness campaigns. Think about some of the health care tips you've read about in newspapers or seen on T.V. Environmental health advocates have helped increase awareness in the U.S. about the health effects caused by smoking, eating trans-fats and not wearing seat belts. When new health threats emerge, as AIDS did in the early 1980s, they try to reduce public fear and overreaction by giving people the facts they need to reduce their risk. Around the world, environmental health advocates educate pregnant women about proper pre-natal care, distribute mosquito nets to guard against malaria, and vaccinate children against preventable diseases. Environmental health advocates can be specialists in infectious diseases, epidemiology, statistics, or communication. A National Strategy to Revitalize Environmental Public Health Services, developed by the Centers for Disease Control, lists these priorities for environmental health advocates: - Environmentally related disease - such as foodborne or waterborne illnesses
- Emerging threats - including West Nile Virus, "bird flu" and MRSA, a bacteria that can cause serious and even deadly "staph" infections that are resistant to antibiotics.
- Complex public health issues - including health conditions that have not been conclusively linked to specific environmental factors, and situations where debate about appropriate public health policy is ongoing.
The average salary for Environmental Health Advocates ranges from $45,000 - $110,000.
text courtesy of www.explorehealthcareers.org 
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Distance Learning Course Offered through Western Montana AHEC: Certified Outpatient Coding
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Become a Certified Professional Coder
Do you have students looking to enter a healthcare career right out of high school? Have they thought about Medical Coding?
Why Medical Coding? --
- Coders work in every type of healthcare facility and some can work from home.
- The salary range is $30-$40,000/year (national average).
- On average certified coders make 17% more than non-certified coders.
- A statewide survey on the need for coders indicated that 70% of Montana's healthcare institutions reported a reoccurring need to hire medical coders
Program Dates: Jan. 24- Mar. 24, 2012
Meeting times: Tues & Thurs 5:30-9:30 pm, plus 3 Sat. sessions
Total Hours of Instruction: 84
Distance Learning Costs: Tuition and textbooks: $1344. Additional fees: Certification exam $260, AAPC membership $70, Vidyo license $5
Instructor: Lisa Rae Roper, MHA, CCS-P, CPC, CPC-I, PCS
Technology Utilized: Vidyo and Moodle
Required Prerequisites: Medical Terminology and Anatomy & Physiology
College Credit from The University of Montana may also be available
This exciting opportunity for students in rural areas is available through distance technology & a partnership between the Western Montana AHEC & The Lifelong Learning Center. For more information, please contact Anne Linn in the W MT AHEC at anne.linn@mso.umt.edu
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AHEC - The Basics
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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!
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Sincerely,
Montana AHECs (Area Health Education Centers)
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