El Paso students get hands-on lessons at Paul L. Foster School of Medicine

Fifth graders from Clardy Elementary School listen to a second-year medical student on the how the brain works on Friday at the Paul L. Foster School of Medicine. ( AARON MARTINEZ EL PASO TIMES)

The students at the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center-Paul L. Foster School of Medicine were a lot younger Friday when fifth graders took over the labs and classrooms.

As part of the "Seeds of Change" partnership between the medical school and Clardy Elementary School, about 80 fifth graders visited the medical school and were taught about science and health issues by faculty members and medical students.

"This is very exciting and fun," said Anapaula Garcia, one of the elementary school students. "Right now, we were learning about how the right and left side of the brain works. It is really cool how different parts of your brain work and the effects it has on you."

Anapaula said she was grateful for the opportunity to go to the medical school and see first hand what medical students study. She said she dreams of one day becoming a doctor.

"I want to be a pediatrician, so I am very happy I got this opportunity to study medicine and learn from medical students," said Anapaula, 10. "They (medical students) say it is fun and exciting so I am very excited to become a doctor. I know this is what I want to do, so today was very fun."

The lessons included how the heart and brain work, how bones break and how they are repaired, an overview of the human anatomy and what medical students study and do at the school.

"It was really fun working with the doctors," said Ellen Hernandez, another fifth grader who found a new interest in the health field. "It was interesting and I feel like I'm actually studying here and working to become a doctor."

Two of the main goals of the program is to educate the students about living a healthier life and stressing the importance of continuing their education.

"This is a great experience for them," said Leticia Foster, principal of Clardy Elementary School and who has no relation to Paul Foster. "It exposes them to the science and medical fields and encourages them to complete high school, go to college and continue their education."

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El Paso students get hands-on lessons at Paul L. Foster School of Medicine

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