Engaging pharmacy and other health profession students in K‐12 science education

Our objective is to stimulate interest in science in K‐12 grade classrooms by involving pharmacy students. Health profession students are well‐trained in science, can support K‐12 science teachers and be role models for students. In 2007, we began a course with 34 second year pharmacy students assigned to work with teachers in 17 local 2 nd and 5 th grade classrooms. Prior to their assignment, students attended three training sessions on K‐12 education and curricula. Teachers also attended a session to learn program guidelines and meet pharmacy students. Pharmacy students led science activities in assigned classrooms once a week for the remainder of the semester. Evaluations showed improvement in attitudes toward science among participating elementary students and increased interest and confidence in participation in K‐12 science education among pharmacy students. In 2008‐09, we are repeating our course at Pacific with 40 new students, and pharmacy school faculty at the University of Arizona and Washington State University are conducting parallel classes at their schools. To facilitate training for these courses, we have developed a website. Evaluations will be used to determine the effectiveness of the program. The long‐term goal of this project is to stimulate involvement of practicing pharmacists in science education in their local K‐12 th grade schools. (Supported by NIH grant # 2‐R25‐RR012319‐004A2)