Southern Illinois University Edwardsville School of Pharmacy students participated in service learning projects in March resulting in the education of more than 9,000 grade school children in Madison and St. Clair counties.
Eighty first-year (P1) pharmacy students participated by creating and communicating nutrition-based wellness messages for children enrolled in preschool through third grade.
Since 2006, P1 pharmacy students have participated in similar service learning spring projects. The number of grade school children impacted has grown exponentially.
“We’ve broken records this year with the number of grade school children we have reached,” said Dr. Kate Newman, clinical assistant professor of Pharmacy Practice and coordinator of Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experience (IPPE). “Our P1 students educated 9,034 grade school children about proper nutrition and the importance of physical activity.”
The pharmacy students went into the community in two-person teams and gave 10-12 presentations per team.
SIUE School of Pharmacy service learning combines classroom instruction with community service to address community wellness needs. Learning is enhanced through the encouragement of civic responsibility and community action, as well as through the promotion of cooperation and teamwork.
Photo: Kayci Legate (L) and Amy Probst (R), SIUE School of Pharmacy students.