UNMC professionals share expertise with students

Speaking to a crowd of approximately 50 middle school students, Greg Karst, Ph.D., never missed a step.

“It’s fun to be here,” the School of Allied Health Professions’ assistant dean for academic affairs told the crowd of fifth- through eighth-graders.

As part of UNMC’s 2015 Nebraska Science Festival outreach events, Dr. Karst — a professor of physical therapy — was one of three UNMC professionals who spoke at area schools earlier this month. (Kevin McGuire, a laboratory coordinator in the School of Allied Health Professions, and Laurey Steinke, Ph.D., assistant professor of biochemistry and molecular biology, also visited area schools).

For a schedule of SciFest events, click here.

Dr. Karst visited St. Matthew’s Catholic School in Bellevue to speak about health care careers, including nursing, surgery, family medicine, physical therapy and other professions, including work in research.

“Much of what people in the health care field do is solve puzzles,” he told his audience.

Two puzzles the children wanted solved — how long would it take to become a health care professional, and how much money would they make. One young man only looked more determined when Dr. Karst told him that, from eighth grade, he had about 18 more years of school and training ahead to become a brain surgeon.

The students seemed to enjoy Dr. Karst’s presentation.

“It was awesome,” said sixth-grader Claire Von Osterheldt, who wants to be a midwife or a pediatric surgeon. “I learned a lot of things.”

Sixth-grader Matthew Adkins was interested to learn how doctors and researchers cured diseases at UNMC, while fifth-grader Mackenzie Cook was excited to learn about all the different professions.

“I want to work in the NICU,” said Mackenzie, adding that her aunt is a NICU nurse.

Math and science teacher Mary Jo Holdcroft said she appreciated Dr. Karst’s presentation. She is taking her class to SciFest events at the Durham Museum this week.

Dr. Karst said he enjoyed talking to the students about science and health fields and seeing their interest.

“We still need good candidates for all our schools,” Dr. Karst said. “I liked their questions being all over the place.”

Stoking the interest of young students is part of the reason SciFest is so important, he said, and part of the reason that he felt it was important to take part in the outreach event.

“We need to get more kids excited about science and provide more opportunities to learn about careers in science and health care.”