9th-grader Emmeline Gamez listens to SimMan’s heart beat during Science Expo 2003. The mannequin has palpable pulses, audible heart tones, breathes, and can even respond verbally with moans, groans and complaints. The anesthesiology department uses SimMan to mimic situations and complications that could arise during procedures.
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Why should you be a volunteer at this year’s Science Expo on campus? There are a number of good reasons.

First, as a researcher, clinician and/or educator, you undoubtedly had many mentors who helped sharpen your interest in science and the health professions. Now is your chance to “pay it forward” by helping the next generation of aspiring leaders.

Second, you are concerned about the future of your field. Talking about your discipline with young people will plant seeds that could result in someone following in your footsteps one day and working in your chosen area.

Third, you help the Health Science Center as we attempt to educate the community. The more than one thousand students, parents and teachers who will be on campus the day of the Expo will spread the word in the community about what they have seen here at the Health Science Center.

Irene Chapa, Ph.D., coordinator of recruitment and science outreach, said the Expo is the event “where we open our doors for high school students to visit our campus and gain insight into the many opportunities in the health professions.” This year’s Expo is from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 6, at the Central Campus.

There are several ways you can help make this day a success. You can choose to give a presentation that will educate and motivate high school students. Presentations should be approximately 40 minutes long and inform students about your specific career and the educational path toward that career. The best presentations provide personal insights into the road to professional success.

You can also choose to host a display table. These are intended to provide information that students can pick up and take with them or that provides some sort of hands-on experience. The tables are manned for the duration of Expo.

You may also choose to help with crowd control or directing groups to their next session.

If you would like to volunteer, please fill out the attached volunteer form. Dr. Chapa’s office will take care of providing you with rooms, AV equipment, tables, chairs, etc. Simply fill out the attached form and e-mail it back or send it via campus mail.

Please call the office at (210) 567-3941 or write to chapai@uthscsa.edu if you have any questions. Dr. Chapa would like to have a complete list of volunteers by Thursday, Oct. 14.

“Thank you for considering this request,” she said. “We need your help to make Expo 2004 a memorable, educational, exciting and inspirational event for the youth of our community!”

To get a copy of the volunteer form, visit:
www.uthscsa.edu/HSCNews/archive/ExpoVolForm.pdf