The American Heart Association helped bring science to life for about 100 Syracuse City School District elementary students.
The STEM Has Heart Day at Van Duyn Elementary School featured hands-on examples and activities that not only engaged students in STEM fields, but taught them about their own health, as well.
“Lifesaving science is not often seen in elementary school in a hands-on manner,” said Van Duyn Principal Eva Williams. “Our CHAMPS were fully engaged and excited to try and do everything. Our goal is to teach our CHAMPS to fish and not just feed them information on fishing. The STEM Day allowed us to achieve this goal!”
Students learned Hands-Only CPR, got their blood pressure checked before and after jumping rope, explored the inside of a brain and learned the signs of a stroke, learned to rethink their drinks, toured an ambulance rig, and even learned how DJs use math!
The event helped get kids excited about health and STEM fields, because our health is about even more than our bodies. Representation in STEM fields matters. For example, recent research shows women experiencing cardiac events potentially have better outcomes when treated by a female physician in the ER. In order to move medical breakthroughs forward, we need more diverse representation in STEM careers making significant contributions to the advancement of healthcare for all.
The STEM Has Heart program, sponsored by National Grid, works to help close gender gaps and increase diversity in research and science, technology, engineering, and math fields. Earlier this year, STEM Has Heart hosted a virtual lab tour featuring female researchers funded by the American Heart Association.