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Cool School: Learning to Heal

By Kid Reporter Madison Chapman

Disaster has struck at Lincoln Middle School, in Palmetto, Florida. Sydney Thomas, 12, dashes from one injured classmate to another, carefully cleaning and bandaging wounds.

Fortunately, the disaster isn't real. Sydney is taking part in Lincoln's emergency-medical-training program. During the school's annual Mock Disaster Day, students play the role of either victim or medical worker. Under the close watch of Manatee Memorial Hospital staff, kids learn to analyze and treat injuries.

"It's pretty realistic," Sydney says of the event. The students treat minor injuries, while the hospital's emergency technicians guide them through the more serious ones. She says the program has taught her "how to take care of people in serious situations. It is also helping me accomplish my goal of becoming an oral surgeon."

Lincoln Middle School became a medical magnet school six years ago. Magnet schools offer classes in specific areas of study, such as performing arts or science and technology. Classes in Lincoln's medical program include first aid, emergency response, veterinary medicine and even pet CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation). Other classes also cover medicine. For example, in world history, students learn about the origin of the splint.

Not all of Lincoln's medical-team students will become doctors and nurses. Still, Principal Reid Wallace believes that the program helps his students to see the connection between education and the real world. "Kids in middle school sometimes wonder what they are doing in school," Wallace told TFK. "When you make it more real-life, they understand how education might help with their career."

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