Students in STEM programs at area high schools tour Avedisian Hall, learn about opportunities in pharmacy, biotech
High school students with an interest in science visited the University of Rhode Island’s College of Pharmacy recently to experience the classrooms, gardens, and labs of the college’s Avedisian Hall, giving them a look at science in action, and demonstrating the diverse career opportunities available in pharmaceutical and biotech sciences.
Students from three high schools around Rhode Island—including South Kingstown, North Kingstown, and Portsmouth—visited on Exploration Day March 21, exposing younger high school students to the pharmaceutical profession. A similar event in the fall is geared more toward older high school students who are already considering studying pharmacy, so they can learn the information they need should they decide to apply to URI, according to Professor Erica Estus, who organized the event.
“These students are obviously interested in science, because they are all in STEM programs, but they might not know if they want to go into pharmacy,” Estus said. “They may study more general science like chemistry, or biology, and if they’re at all interested in health, this is really good event to showcase what available to them.”
Students broke into groups to tour the building, watch demonstrations by faculty members and students, and take part in some basic lab work. Youngken Medicinal Garden Coordinator Elizabeth Liebovitz and her students gave a presentation on the use of plants and herbs in medicine; simulation lab co-director Amanda Chichester demonstrated the use of life-like mannequins in the Patient Simulation Laboratory; URI students taught their high school counterparts how to make scented lotions in the college’s compounding lab; and professors and students demonstrated the use of epipens.
The event offers students the opportunity to see science in action and learn what opportunities are available to them in the biotech industry, according to Nycole Noble, science department chair at Portsmouth High School, who has collaborated with Estus on a series of visits to URI for students as they progress through the high school’s biotechnology program. Portsmouth students will also be working in the greenhouses and the Heber Youngken Medicinal Garden outside Avedisian Hall, working with professors on natural compounds. She and Estus are working on a program to bring the students directly to the lab.
“This gives them some exposure to what’s available to them here in Rhode Island, and also the different areas biotech can lead them into,” Noble said. “They’re getting it right from the source, able to see the facilities and the labs in action, doing hands-on work. They can see what’s available, and actually get to come into the labs and gardens and do some work. It’s a great collaboration we have here.”
Exploration Day aims to give students the opportunity to:
- Learn the role of pharmacists and pharmaceutical scientists.
- Explore research opportunities.
- Participate in health and wellness activities.
- Tour the pharmacy building and medicinal garden.
- Experience the College’s simulation lab.
