Husky Scholar Program
I have worked for the UConn Health Center in the Department of Public Health and Health Policy. The Husky Scholar program is a unique opportunity where UConn students work as paid summer interns in urban communities, such as Hartford, providing education to a variety of populations.
I first started working for the health center in 2011, working as an intern in the Husky Scholar program. The following summer of 2012 I was promoted to Program Coordinator, where I managed the scheduling as well as lesson plans for the program. During the summer of 2013, I was able to continue my role as student coordinator. I also had the pleasure of working with programs during the academic year, as a program coordinator, seeing that all of the classes can be taken for credit at the University of Connecticut. Husky Programs is made up of four core programs: Husky Nutrition 1 and 2, Husky Reads and Healthy Aging. |
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Husky Nutrition I
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This program provides nutrition and food safety education to adults in Hartford and other low income populations. Visiting farmer's markets, WIC clinics, Health Fairs and preschools we were able to meet thousands of people and provide them with some knowledge they may have previously been lacking.
As a program coordinator, I was able to create the display boards and handouts that would then be displayed at site. Our topics ranged from "The Dirty Dozen" to "MyPlate" to "Healthy Snacking." |
Husky Nutrition II
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This program works with school aged children in after school programs, libraries and summer camps where a lesson on nutrition is fused with basic cooking skills and physical activity. The students have an in classroom lesson on a topic which could be "MyPlate", "Fruits & Veggies," "How to Make a Healthy Breakfast," etc. Then there is physical activity, tied to the theme, which is typically the favorite part of the lesson amongst the students. Finally, with the help of the UConn students, the children prepare and taste a snack that is also related to lesson.
As a student coordinator, I was able to create some of these lessons, as well as prepare any materials needed on site. During the academic year, I prepared materials and sent off UConn students to site from the UConn Storrs Campus to the Health Center in East Hartford. |
Husky Reads
This program takes place in preschools, libraries and WIC Clinics in low income areas, specifically Hartford. Similar to Husky Nutrition 2, in classroom lessons are taught but, in this case, to preschool aged children. The main focus of Husky Reads is literacy. The lessons consist of an introduction to the topic, reading 2-3 related books, a physical activity and then an on topic healthy snack. The topics for Husky Reads are typically MyPlate and the five food groups. Other topics are also used such as hydration, exercise and body image.
As a student coordinator, I was able to create entire semester or summer's worth of curriculum. I would also prepare any materials needed for each lesson. I worked the most with this program and loved being able to see the students progress as the semester went on. |
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Healthy Aging
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This program works with the senior population in low income areas in the Greater Hartford area. We host programs at senior centers which consist of basic cooking and safe food safety tips, which is accompanied by a cooking demo. The topics chosen here are those that would pertain to seniors, such as lowering your sodium.
As a student coordinator, I was able to participate in this program being more experienced in Husky Programs. The program ranged from the lessons, to cooking demos, to senior expos, to a field trip to the local grocery store where the seniors were given a tour. Also I was able to help prepare the materials needed for the lessons. |