Developing a science outreach program and promoting "PhUn" all year with rural K-12 students

Area of Science:

• Physiology
• Biomechanics
• Health Sciences Education

Background:

• Engaging K-12 students in health-related careers is crucial for future workforce development.
• Science outreach often overlooks the ~20% of K-12 schools located in rural areas.
• Michigan's Upper Peninsula presents a unique challenge due to its large land mass and sparse population.

Purpose of the Study:

• To establish a sustainable science outreach program targeting K-12 students in a rural region.
• To foster interest in health-related science careers among underserved student populations.
• To leverage existing scientific events for broader educational impact.

Main Methods:

• Assembled a multidisciplinary team of students, staff, and faculty.
• Utilized established events like Physiology Friday, Physiology Understanding (PhUn) Week, and National Biomechanics Day.
• Delivered hands-on physiology and biomechanics activities directly at K-12 schools.

Main Results:

• Engaged 1,696 K-12 students across 31 rural schools between 2016 and 2019.
• Activities were primarily conducted on-site at schools (>90% of visits).
• Over 85 students and 10 faculty members participated in delivering the outreach programs.

Conclusions:

• A supportive departmental culture, dedicated coordinator, and collaborative team are vital for program success.
• Starting with a single event, teamwork, and flexibility are recommended for establishing outreach programs.
• The program provided valuable service-learning and professional development opportunities while promoting science engagement.