AIM is a three-week pre-medical program for high school students with the Department of Medical Sciences & Education and provides a broad introduction to the field of medicine, combining coursework in related sciences with experiential learning activities and explorations of the various career possibilities.

Introduction to Careers in Medicine (BU-ICM) is a noncredit pre-medical program for high school students that combines classroom work in the sciences with experiential, hands-on learning activities taught by clinical educators. Topics featured include Anatomy, Histology, Surgery and Emergency Medicine.

Boston Area Health Education Center (BAHEC) aims to diversify the pool of health professionals in Boston by increasing middle and high school students’ awareness of health professions and public health issues and concepts.

City Lab is a biotechnology learning laboratory serving students and teachers in grades 7-12. It provides access to state-of-the-art biotechnology laboratory facilities and curriculum unavailable to most school systems. Teachers from Massachusetts and neighboring states bring their students to CityLab where they solve problems by applying the same techniques and concepts of genetics and molecular biology used in research laboratories today.

Summer Lab is open to students entering the 10th grade through the first year of college.  It offers four different five-day sessions where students can develop a deeper understanding of basic techniques and concepts related to DNA science. While working in teams, the students assume the role of a biotechnology company and work together to design and carry out an investigation to solve problems in biotechnology.

Summer Program in Neuroscience (SPIN) is an eight-week intensive program offered by the Departments of Neurosurgery, and Anatomy & Neurobiology that offers classroom instruction in neuroanatomy, hands-on research experience in a neuroscience lab, and clinical exposure in both the neurosurgery clinic and operating room. It is open to undergraduate students interested in neuroscience, biomedical engineering, computer science, and medicine.

The Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Laboratory & Clinical Sciences (BLCS) is a collaboration between Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine and BU Metropolitan College, the program prepares students for jobs and careers in the fields of biotechnology and clinical research.

STaRS promotes access to graduate education for traditionally underrepresented students  in science and medicine.  STaRS is a grant funded through the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute of the NIH

A service-learning elective, STEP promotes a partnership between the Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine community and high-school students from the Greater Boston Area. Medical students meet with a group of high school students, once a week on campus, providing them with an early exposure to the medical profession. Meetings involve one-on-one mentoring, as well as programming focused on knowledge of health careers, health disparities, and disease processes. Medical students also work with residents of the Primary Care Residency Program to organize clinical skills sessions for the high school participants, as well with the Boston Area Health Education Center (BAHEC) to help the students develop a community engagement project.

HPREP is a nation-wide high school enrichment program aimed at recruiting underrepresented minorities into the science and health professions. Chobanian & Avedisian HPREP student leaders provide sessions catered to college preparation and skills for success, as well as introductions into the health professions.

Five citywide school-based oral health programs operate in over 80 schools and preschools in Boston, Chelsea, Framingham, Natick and Lawrence where 16,000 children receive preventive oral health services, instruction and  education. There are hands-on learning activities that provide excellent opportunities for children to learn about science and math as well as explore careers in dentistry by asking questions of and interacting with dental students and faculty. 

Annually GSDM invites local elementary school second and third graders to visit for a full day of oral health activities, including presentations on oral health and nutrition and interactive activities in the Simulation Learning Center where they learn about sealants and dental impressions. These field trips provide both interactive science, math, and dental education for children as well as an opportunity for GSDM students to inspire young children to pursue a higher education and possibly a career in dentistry. Local Boston Public Schools that have participated in these dental school field trips include the Blackstone School, which has visited GSDM for the past 17 years, Orchard Gardens K-8 School, Edward W. Brooke Charter School and Tynan School.

BAHEC aims to diversify the pool of health professionals in Boston by increasing middle and high school students’ awareness of health professions and public health issues and concepts. The annual Health Expo connects Boston adolescents who are interested in exploring health careers with professionals representing a broad range of career fields. GSDM presented information and answered questions about  careers in dentistry to 75 high school attendees.

This comprehensive seven-week after-school program for high school students addresses STEM by emphasizing science and technology in the practice of dental medicine. Weekly units examine subjects including oral anatomy, physiology, radiology and pathology. Hands-on activities include preparing and restoring a tooth on a manikin, taking impressions on models and pouring them up and completing a wax carve up of an anterior tooth. Use of current technology is introduced, such as computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) and virtual orthodontic analysis. Each session involves a GSDM faculty lead and mentoring by dental students.

Twenty-four biology students from Rhode Island’s Cumberland High School interested in dentistry and medicine participate in an annual visit to the Boston University Medical Campus for a tour of BUMC’s labs, including the National Emerging Infectious Diseases Laboratories (NEIDL), GSDM’s Simulated Learning Center and its dental clinic, and Boston Medical Center’s emergency department.

At the School’s annual career day, a panel of speakers and breakout sessions engage students in discussions about possible career choices. A GSDM faculty member representing the National Dental Association speaks to the students about dental health and the benefits of a career in the dental field. On a separate occasion, GSDM faculty members lead “Dental Health for a Lifetime” workshops engaging students with interactive activities and providing hands-on experiences with students enrolled in the School’s Allied Health Program, highlighting students’ potential future roles as nursing assistants, medical assistants and dental assistants.

Children who attend the Yawkey Club of Roxbury, a Boys and Girls Club of Boston, are invited annually to dental health fairs organized by GSDM and held at the Yawkey Club. Dental student volunteers engage the children at the fairs with interactive educational activities. Approximately 150 children, ages 7 to 12, visit six dental-themed tables to learn about proper brushing and flossing; healthy eating; tooth protection such as mouth guards, fluoride and sealants; smoking and oral piercing; and careers in dental medicine.

Since 1994 GSDM has been a participant in the Research Science Institute, a six-week summer program for high school students. Sponsored by the Center for Excellence in Education, in collaboration with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the students experience college-level classes and complete hands-on research guided by selected mentors at corporations, universities, and other organizations.

The Activist Lab believes in education, innovation and advocacy for the improved health of all populations. As public health professionals, they use their knowledge, skills and passion to ensure that all people, but especially those who are marginalized, have the potential to live healthy and productive lives. Activities have included organizing the #ENOUGH gun violence walkout; conducting advocacy training workshops for students, faculty, staff, and residents; and providing training to the public health workforce.

The mission of the Life on Albany Committee is to discuss and develop initiatives across BUMC that address the issues of homelessness, substance abuse disorders, and mental illness on Albany Street as is our responsibility both as a neighbor and health institutions. Our goal is to build awareness within BU, to break down stigma, and increase understanding of the public health situation in our community and take innovative action to improve it. Students interested in joining the Student Life on Albany Committee (SLAC) can email Harsimar Brar for more information.

Elementary school students from the Blackstone Community Center learn to identify common bird species in Boston, make bird themed cards for seniors at nearby Franklin Square House, plant sunflower seeds and observe birds in the neighborhood through the Celebrate Urban Birds program. Their observations of birds are added to the existing Celebrate Urban Birds data. These activities are part of a Cornell Lab of Ornithology program that uses bird watching as a jumping-off point to introduce kids in low-income communities to science and conservation.

The PopHealthExperience offers rising 7th-10th-graders an engaging and immersive introduction to the field of public health. Students learn from Boston University School of Public Health faculty and graduate students about a range of public health topics, participate in hands-on research activities, discover career choices, and develop leadership skills.

What do gun violence, food insecurity and racial profiling have in common? These are all issues that future leaders in public health will tackle to eliminate health disparities. The Master Academy in Population Health provides rising 11th and 12th graders an engaging and intensive exposure to a wide range of public health experiences.