Hands-on science at hospital

Instead of getting all of their science lessons inside the classroom, students from I.S. 59Q in Springfield Gardens are getting some of them in the research laboratories and hospitals of the North Shore-LIJ Health System.
This marks the second year that the school and health system have partnered with each other. Last year, 90 students took part in the 10-month long program.
This year, 60 returning students from seventh and eighth grade will be joined by 30 new sixth graders for the program.
The goal of the program is “to enhance science learning and introduce adolescents to a variety of healthcare careers.”
“Based on evaluations and feedback from the students, it was extremely evident that the students had fun learning because they were engaged with the hands-on activities and equipment they used - something I.S. 59 could not have afforded,” said Carleton Gordon, the school’s principal.
Participating students travel to the health system’s facilities every Thursday during their school year. Field experts teach the students about different medical specialties, research and related technology.
All of the lessons are designed to “complement” the city’s science curriculum.
“We’re thrilled to invest the time and resources in education in our community to encourage science learning among the next generation of potential clinicians, researchers or healthcare professionals,” said the health system’s Chief Learning Officer, Kathleen Gallo, Ph.D., R.N.
After being part of the school year program, some students became very interested in the medical field and decided to take their work a step further. Last July, 14 of the students took part in a two-week internship program.
“We had several students who said that they wanted to become a pediatrician or doctor,” Gallo said. “Through a rigorous selected process with I.S. 59, North Shore-LIJ created a program to continue the learning process over the summer and invigorate students’ interests.”
While spending most of their time during the internship at the Feinstein Institute for Medical Research, they also went to the Patient Safety Institute, Center for Tobacco Control, The Hagedorn Cleft Palate and Craniofacial Center, the Alzheimer’s Unit and the photographic and video studio.
“The exposure to North Shore-LIJ staff members and the different facilities also enriched the learning process,” Gordon said. “Having accompanied several groups of students during fieldwork, I know their experiences will always be remembered for a lifetime.”
The partnership between I.S. 59 and the North Shore-LIJ Health System receives support from the Center for Educational Innovation - Public Education Association.