K-12 Outreach

Adventures in Veterinary Medicine

Adventures in Veterinary Medicine (AVM) is a career exploration program for middle school, high school, and college students and adults hosted on Cummings School campus. The AVM curriculum includes a variety of classes taught by faculty, staff, students, and community members. Opportunities are available for alumni to join the program as teachers. Presentations usually last one hour. Most are lecture style with PowerPoint support, but interactive components are welcome. This can be a one-time commitment or repeatable presentation options are available, with sessions running from April–August each year.

Paid position $75/hr: Adventures in Veterinary Medicine (AVM)

Outreach Requests/You-Be-The-Veterinarian Program

Contact: Danielle Buczek

This program involves working with groups of children of all ages to provide educational presentations in the community. Volunteers give an age-appropriate presentation (what it’s like to be a veterinarian, pet care, pet first aid, nutrition, dog jobs, behavior, etc.,). On-campus events take about 1 hour to complete. Off-campus program length varies depending on the specific event. Groups are scheduled throughout the year based off community request. This can be a one-time commitment or repeatable presentation options are available.

One Health Lessons

Contact: Dr. Deborah Thomson

One Health Lessons is a global organization that inspires children and adults to value One Health. Volunteers are needed to bring One Health Lessons into more communities around the world! View this handout to learn more, or visit their website.

Massachusetts 4-H Program

Contact: Director of UMass Extension 4-H Youth Development or Dr. Terry Taylor

Mass 4-H is a youth development program open to all young people ages 5 through 18 throughout the Commonwealth. Many of you were involved in 4-H growing up but may not know that 4-H is thriving in Massachusetts! Tufts University conducted a longitudinal study looking at the positive impact of 4-H on youth development and found that 4-Hers were more likely to become active members of their community, make healthy life choices, choose science/technology based careers, and excel academically. It makes sense for our alums to be more involved with this program! Members are not only involved in animal science programs, but a wide range of other activities including STEM programs, gardening, community service projects and public speaking.

If you are interested in learning more about the MA 4-H program check out their website. Under the club directory you can see what clubs are in your county and usually the email of the group leader. Opportunities can range from just visiting a 4-H club or fair, giving a talk or more formal involvement as a group leader. The opportunities are endless!!! You can also check out their current events.

STEM

Contact: Erin King

Throughout the year there are a number of opportunities to promote STEM education (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) throughout the community. Volunteers work in teams to bring interactive and creative activities to students, combining a passion for animals with STEM education goals.

There is a great desire for project expansion which is dependent upon more volunteers! On-going programs include the list below:

East Middle School 7th (early to mid- March) and 8th grade (late May) presentations
5th grade presentation to Grafton Elementary (late Feb or early March)
Saturday presentation to Girl Scouts in the fall (October)
6th grade presentations in Grafton public schools (program currently in development)

Blackstone Valley STEM Conference in the fall. Around 100+ children come to campus for an all day event filled with workshops and presentations from community members.