These lectures have in the past covered such topics as chronic pain, dental pain and Parkinson's disease. This year, Huntington's disease and 'An introduction to Neuroscience' are on the agenda. Courses are complete with tours and hands-on experiences which include the use of medical technology and performing small suturing operations. Sample a few days in the lives of physicians and medical technicians by hearing from them about their areas of expertise and what they do on a daily basis. Students learn about systems of the human body and disease prevention, and conduct blood pressure, heart rate, lung capacity, echocardiogram and other diagnostic tests.
Participants also learn firsthand what it's like to be a medical student.
A field trip is included. In partnership with the Academic Health Center, Roosevelt High School in Minneapolis offers a Medical Magnet Program focused around students' interest in a medical career. Students must apply to participate in this highly desirable program. Last summer, teachers from 25 middle schools participated in a week-long summer institute at the University to train them for teaching neuroscience. The program is expected to reach some 10,000 children in grades five through eight annually.