
Sep 19, 2019 / General News
Hospital Staff Inspire the Next Generation
Over the weekend, members from our staff hosted a one-day, hands-on workshop for young girls from the STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) Academy. Developed by the Dallas Chapter of the Links Incorporated (an international, not-for-profit corporation with over 15,000 professional women of color throughout the world), the academy was created for girls 7th to 12th grades. The experience provides students with the opportunity to interact with professionals currently in the STEAM fields with access to mentoring, life skills training and more.
The hospital’s Director of Movement Science Kirsten Tulchin-Francis, Ph.D., and pediatric orthopedic surgeon Amy L. McIntosh, M.D., both recipients of the Women Who STEAM award, led the event and taught over 40 girls. The day included presentations from various female staff regarding topics within pediatric orthopedics and engineering. The students learned about the following:
This event is part of a larger initiative for Scottish Rite Hospital. The STEM-RITE Outreach Program has been developed to inspire young minds and teach them about careers in science, technology, engineering and math. The program targets elementary, middle and high school and university students to provide experiences and learn first-hand from surgeons, engineers, nurses, therapists and other health care professionals. STEM-RITE includes three levels of participation:
“I am proud to be a part of such an influential initiative,” says Tulchin-Francis. “Providing this resource to the next generation of young girls is inspiring. I look forward to working with these students to be a small part in teaching and potentially guiding them into the STEM fields.”
The hospital’s Director of Movement Science Kirsten Tulchin-Francis, Ph.D., and pediatric orthopedic surgeon Amy L. McIntosh, M.D., both recipients of the Women Who STEAM award, led the event and taught over 40 girls. The day included presentations from various female staff regarding topics within pediatric orthopedics and engineering. The students learned about the following:
- Scoliosis and how bracing and surgery are used to treat spinal curves. Each girl learned how to measure scoliosis on X-rays. .
- Various treatments for femur fractures, including intermedullary nailing. They were taught how to use a power drill and worked in pairs to fixate two femur saw bones.
- Biomechanics and how motion capture is used to evaluate patients through demonstrations in the Frisco Movement Science Lab
This event is part of a larger initiative for Scottish Rite Hospital. The STEM-RITE Outreach Program has been developed to inspire young minds and teach them about careers in science, technology, engineering and math. The program targets elementary, middle and high school and university students to provide experiences and learn first-hand from surgeons, engineers, nurses, therapists and other health care professionals. STEM-RITE includes three levels of participation:
- Tours and Demonstrations – Level 1
- Hands-on Experiences – Level 2
- Internships and Fellowships – Level 3
“I am proud to be a part of such an influential initiative,” says Tulchin-Francis. “Providing this resource to the next generation of young girls is inspiring. I look forward to working with these students to be a small part in teaching and potentially guiding them into the STEM fields.”