Nebraska participate in health/science meet

Sarah Schilousky of Ewing looks at a heart. Photo by Kyle Clemens.

Seventy-three eighth-grade students from 31 schools across Nebraska attended UNMC’s 13th annual Health/Science Meet June 9-11, for an educational and fun experience.

The meet’s goal is to inspire students, especially those from rural communities, to pursue careers in health care. The students qualified for the meet by submitting science projects in regional science competitions earlier in the year.

“This helps us know a lot more about the many careers in medicine,” said Haley Mondt of Funk. “I respect what a lot of people do behind the scenes.”

The expense-paid meet exposes students to the health professions, medical research and patient care. Events include hands-on science activities, presentations about a variety of health science disciplines, touring UNMC, a team science competition and entertainment.

Derek Utemark of Ainsworth, fourth from left, conducts a lab experiment. Photo by Ann Kraft.

“We saw a lot of experiments and some other neat stuff,” said Brent Bartak of Ainsworth Middle School. “I learned a lot from this experience.”

Students interested in applying to attend next year’s eighth-grade Health/Science Meet should contact their science teacher, school counselor or principal in the fall.