Sixth-graders Will and Charles Benning conducting an exam with assistance from veterinary students Jennifer Kelsey and Annamaria Tadlock.
Every summer, the OSU College of Veterinary Medicine sponsors twelve talented and gifted students to participate in Adventures in Learning, a challenging, hands-on introduction to veterinary medicine.
Fifth and sixth graders from across Oregon spend two weeks in July examining preserved cow organs, viewing blood through a microscope, setting broken (plastic) bones with real medical supplies, and watching a horse’ esophagus move with the aid of an endoscope.
Eleven-year old Madeline, in a small group examining a healthy dog under the supervision of a veterinary student, shared her learning experience for the day: “It was fun to use real veterinary tools,” she says. “I enjoyed using the stethoscope to check the heart and lungs. I could hear the heartbeat but not the lungs. That’s good! You’re not supposed to hear the lungs.”
The OSU College of Veterinary Medicine commits many hours and resources to Adventures in Learning because it is important to pique the interest of bright students early. “We want to expose them to what being a vet is all about and hope they consider it as a profession,” says Dr. Sue Tornquist, associate dean of the college, who teaches the blood analysis workshop. “They are also very engaging and fun to work with.”
