Last year, the Cleveland University-Kansas City Anatomy & Physiology Camp was the first of a new kind of immersive experience for area high school students who see themselves entering the science and healthcare fields. A total of 13 students completed the camp in 2018. In 2019, the five-day camp held June 10-14 attracted 22 juniors and seniors from Blue Springs and Blue Springs South high schools.
“The camp is designed as a problem-based learning project for high school students who are essentially pre-med, pre-healthcare-focused,” said Dr. Cheryl Carpenter-Davis, CUKC vice president of academic affairs. “The activities relate to diagnosing a mock patient’s described symptoms, and in the process, learn how human biology principles from anatomy, physiology, and biochemistry apply in healthcare occupations.”
Area high school students: Advanced lab lessons at CUKC
This mock patient case involved describing health symptoms to a doctor of chiropractic while the high school students observed and took notes. The sessions included an overview of the full spectrum of chiropractic care and the use of occupational therapy and radiologic technology in today’s multidisciplinary health care environment.
In sessions that related to the mock patient’s symptoms, the camp’s attendees saw physics principles at work in the CUKC Technique Simulation Laboratory and were introduced to the anatomy lab used by CUKC’s chiropractic students.
In a microbiology session, students learned the processes and techniques needed for diagnostic lab work. Students learned about physics and body movement, the anatomy of the neck and shoulder, diagnostic imaging, and occupational therapy applications.
Two student teams were formed to diagnose the mock patient’s health problem. On the camp’s last day, the teams presented their diagnostic findings and care recommendations. CUKC faculty reviewed each team’s recommendations and provided constructive comments and suggestions.
The week’s activities concluded with the naming of the CUKC Anatomy & Physiology Camp’s winning “diagnostic team” during a celebration honoring all attendees and participants.
Nearly 20 CUKC faculty and staff members participated in the camp, including President Carl S. Cleveland III, who welcomed the students to campus on the first day. Brian Peterson, CUKC instructor in the College of Health Sciences, helped coordinate the week’s activities.
“Our College of Health Sciences and College of Chiropractic faculty spent months designing this summer camp curriculum,” said Dr. Carpenter-Davis. “Our goal was to deliver across-the-board benefits for the students, and it’s exciting to see the students engage and interact.”
More importantly, she said the students get exposed to a deeper level of education than they could in high school curriculums.
“Supporting and nurturing the next generation of healthcare professionals directly relates to our mission of education, scholarship, and service,” said Dr. Carpenter-Davis.
