Several hundred Detroit-area children had a chance to stretch their limits and find out first hand what it's like to be a doctor. With parents in tow, about 500 people turned out last Saturday for Future Docs, a WSU School of Medicine event offering fun, educational activities designed for kids of all skill levels.
Dr. Steve Smith, a WSU School of Medicine alumnus from the Class of 1993, brought his 5-year-old daughter, Katie, to Scott Hall to participate. Wearing a surgical mask and cap, fingers bound in a cast and sporting a bag of event goodies, Katie seemed to have overcome the initial reluctance her father said she had about coming.
"She didn't like the idea at first," Dr. Smith said.
"I was scared," Katie confirmed.
However, now she reports that she is considering medicine as a career. "That's something she never would have said a couple hours ago," said Dad.
Children, aged 6 to 12, participated in progressive, hands-on experiences related to medicine and the human body. In addition to studying human brains and eyes, children had a chance to use a robotic therapy seal trained to help sick children feel better; see their hearts beat; listen to lung sounds; and isolate DNA from bananas.
Five-year-old Stephanie and her cousin, Courtney, 6, barely allowed grandfather Boyd Savoy, acting chair of the WSU Department of Dermatology, to keep pace. The enthusiastic duo could barely make out a favorite of the activities and offerings, citing the robotic baby seal petting experience to be among the top, along with balloons and face tattoos. Best, though, according to Stephanie, was the ambulance tour.
"She really liked that one," Courtney said.
The slightly older crowd was mesmerized by the opportunity to learn about and touch human brains and cow eyes. John Griffith, 13, his brother, Evan, 10, and friend Amber Johannes, 12, were on their way for pizza when stopped and asked about their experience.
"It's fun," Evan said. "I liked getting the cast best."
The boys' dad, David Griffith, and Amber's grandmother, Mary Jacob, both from the Kresge Eye Institute, were helping with the "Eyes Have It" exhibit, which provided slimy cow eyeballs and eye screenings.