Want to help empower Baltimore’s inner city school kids? Give them knowledge by donating books to reward students in the “Mini Med School for Kids” at the University of Maryland, School of Medicine (SOM). The Institute for Genome Sciences (IGS) is conducting a “flash book drive” for books for West Baltimore elementary school students finishing the Mini Med School program this summer on August 5th. The books can be either gently used or new, for 1st-6th graders, all reading levels and interests, and ideally would be science-oriented. However, any good books are appreciated!
Michelle Giglio, one of the IGS scientists teaching said, “IGS is hosting the final session here on campus where the kids will learn about cell structure and make a model of a cell that they can take home. To cap the day we’d like to have a wide selection of books that kids can choose from, so that they can each pick up some to take home.”
The “Mini Med School” program is a fabulous program where SOM scientists and doctors are teaching ~ 30 students (grades 1st– 6th) about cellular and human anatomy, heart health, virus transmission, and coping with bullying at the Salvation Army’s Franklin Square Boys and Girls Club summer camp. The School of Medicine wants to strengthen the West Baltimore community by teaching local, elementary school kids living around the university about human health and wellness to improve the health of the kids. In teaching kids while they are young, the school hopes these students will make smarter health and lifestyle choices now and throughout their lives, while encouraging others in their families to do the same. This knowledge enriches and empowers our community and the city of Baltimore. The event will end with a graduation ceremony where the students will receive certificates from Dean E. Albert Reece.
The “Mini Med School for Kids” is tailored after an adult “Mini Med School” that celebrates its 15th anniversary this year. Starting on September 29th, the adult school runs for five weeks on Tuesday evenings from 6-8 pm and covers topics suggested by previous attendees. For more information on the adult “Mini Med School” see the SOM webpage link.
IGS will be collecting books until August 4th. If you’d like to make a donation, please ship books to the address below. If you’d like to purchase books (or anything within 24 hours of clicking on the link) through the Amazon Affiliate links below. I’ll use any funds generated to purchase books for the kids attending Mini Med School.
Ship to:
University of Maryland School of Medicine
Institute for Genome Sciences
c/o Renée Nathaniel
BioPark II, Room 645
801 W. Baltimore St.
Baltimore, MD 21201
A few potential suggestions for inspiration:
Tiny Creatures: The World of Microbes
Eye to Eye: How Animals See The World
Citizens of the Sea: Wondrous Creatures From the Census of Marine Life
Bacteria: Staph, Strep, Clostridium, and Other Bacteria (A Class of Their Own)
Protists: Algae, Amoebas, Plankton, and Other Protists (A Class of Their Own)
First Human Body Encyclopedia (Dk First Reference Series)
Inside Your Outside: All About the Human Body (Cat in the Hat’s Learning Library)
The Magic School Bus Inside the Human Body
Ultimate Bodypedia: An Amazing Inside-Out Tour of the Human Body (National Geographic Kids)
Understanding Viruses with Max Axiom, Super Scientist (Graphic Science)
The Heart: All about Our Circulatory System and More!
