UAMS receives $1.3 million grant could lead to educational opportunities

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — A grant for the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences may lead to more educational opportunities for high school students interested in medicine.

UAMS recently received a $1.3 million grant from the National Institute of Health.

The grant is meant to help fund its stem outreach program for high school students in northwest Arkansas.

Kevin Phelan is a professor at UAMS, and he said over the next five years, “We’ll be visiting ninth-grade science classes in Northwest Arkansas including Benton and Washington counties, bringing technologies like handheld ultrasound devices into the classrooms.”

“This is a very exciting time and it’s going to do great things for UAMS,” said David Wise with UAMS.

Through the program, UAMS will invite 25 rising tenth graders to a two-week camp on its campus.”We’ll be introducing them to medical-related technologies like CT imaging, things like that. And then they’re immediately designated as our STEM ambassadors after they’ve completed that two-week camp.” said Phelan.

Phelan also stated they will be hosting virtual events throughout Northwest Arkansas. STEM outreach programs like this started in Central Arkansas and Phelan is excited about the outcome in Northwest Arkansas.

If you are interested in learning more about the program from UAMS, click here

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