One by one each of the 12 girls tap the tuning forks on their palms to make them vibrate.
Then each youth carefully stands the tuning fork on the top of her head and listens for the high pitched sound it makes.
The exercise is part of a presentation about the physician’s assistant program at the UNMC Youth Learning Center.
The girls, ranging in age from 9 to 14, are members of the non-profit organization Girls Inc., one of the many agencies in Omaha funded in part through United Way donations.
“The sound travels along the bones in the head to your ears,” explained Diane Landon, a program coordinator with the division of physician assistant education in the School of Allied Health at UNMC. “The tuning forks are used to test neurological function in injured persons brought into the emergency room.”
Landon is one of many UNMC faculty and staff who volunteer their time, often after-hours, to present to the students at the UNMC Youth Learning Center.
“All of the girls over the years have had some incredible opportunities through the Youth Learning Center,” said Roberta Wilhelm, executive director of Girls Inc. “It’s one of our more popular programs.”
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Girls Inc. participant Gabrielle Jones learns to hold an infant at the UNMC Youth Learning Center. Girls Inc. is among the many organizations that benefit from United Way support. |
Her friend agreed.
“I had so much fun and I learned a lot,” said Alysia Cistrunk, also 11.
Lisa Jewell, director of the Youth Learning Center and her assistant, Michaela Bolamperti, offer the students at Girls Inc. two programs — one in health sciences and health careers and the other a babysitting training course.
Along with the presentations by health professionals, Jewell said she instructs the youth on the importance of getting good grades in school, emphasizes the value of math and science and what it takes to get into the various health professions.
“During the babysitting training course the girls are taught first aid, what to do in an emergency, how to keep a cool head and how to be a good role model to the children they are watching,” Jewell said. “We always enjoy having the students from Girls Inc. at the Youth Learning Center. They always come eager to learn, engage in presentations no matter what the topic, and ask really good questions.”
Precious Moore, who attended the babysitting course, used the skills she learned at the Youth Learning Center to assist a classmate who was choking in the school cafeteria. She was recognized as an American Red Cross Heartland Hero.
“It is gratifying knowing that what the girls learn here at the Youth Learning Center is making a difference in the lives of many,” Jewell said.