Purdue Expanding After-School Veterinary Program

Inside INdiana Business is reporting the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine has announced a nationwide expansion of its after-school science program. The program, known as This is How We “Role,” targets elementary school students and seeks to diversify the veterinarian scientist workforce.

The program will now be available at the Colorado State University College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University, Lincoln Memorial University College of Veterinary Medicine and Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine. Each school received a $5,000 grant to offer the program.

The program provides interactive science and math experiences for students in kindergarten through fourth grade with a special focus on students facing educational disadvantages due to socioeconomic status, race or ethnicity.

“These children have already developed creative problem-solving skills and have experience overcoming unexpected challenges, and both of those qualities are essential for good scientists,” said Sandra San Miguel,Purdue Veterinary Medicine associate dean for engagement. “They are the future veterinarian-scientists who are going to find cures for cancer and change our world so we need to instill a passion in them for this work early on in their education.”

San Miguel says the university hopes to further expand the program to 11 additional veterinary medicine colleges within the next two years. You can learn more about the program by clicking here.