Fourth grade explores health careers through HOSA
Photo by Maile Sur
Fourth grade students explore health occupations during the HOSA Health Career Day at Nāmāhana Dining Hall yesterday, Nov. 6. Here, students create DNA using candy.
Fourth graders explored health careers yesterday at an event created by the Health Occupation Students of America club.
Student leader Ryan Foree designed the event to expose young students to varied health occupations. He said he wanted them to know there are more health industry opportunities out there besides being a doctor or a nurse.
Foree is the president of the KS Maui chapter of the club as well as a national HOSA gold medalist in Dental Terminology.
Dental hygienists, x-ray technicians, optometrists, nurses, athletic trainers, pharmacists and a la’au lapa’au practitioner were some of the professionals invited to Nāmāhana Dining Hall to participate.
Students learned through hands-on experiences at stations set up around the room. Some of the things they did were look at x-rays, play a game on human anatomy, build DNA using candy, and use a stethoscope to hear heartbeats.
Every year around the country, HOSA clubs devote a week to health education, community service and appreciation of health professionals. This year, the Kamehameha Maui club reached out to some of their own.
“Our officers thought it would be really good to include the elementary and get them involved in learning about health careers,” Ms. Malia Panglao said. Ms. Panglao, along with Ms. Brandy Cajudoy and Ms. Brooke Nacua are the advisers for the club.
Along with the health professionals and HOSA club members, students from Ms. Panglao’s biotechnology and human anatomy classes joined in on the educational fun.
Rachel Smith, senior and vice-president of HOSA, said it meant a lot to her to give back. “It’s cool to inspire kids to go into the health field, especially for me because it’s what I want to do.”
