Gastroenterology and Endocrinology and Radiology and Ophthalmology, Oh My!
Wonderkids Spring 2020 – Originally Published March 25, 2020
Wonderkids has four new exciting units this semester including: Gastroenterology, Endocrinology, Radiology, and Ophthalmology. The program is being funded by the USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center and Wonderkids’ partnership with Dr. W. Martin Kast. This semester, three schools are participating: 32nd St. and Vermont Elementary are returning and Norwood Street Elementary added Wonderkids for the first time.
The gastroenterology unit focuses on the organs involved in digestion: this was demonstrated through an organ apron (shown in the picture above), emulating digestion with food and panty hose, understanding the importance of saliva and starch, measuring the lengths of each organ used in digestion as well as using colonoscopy or endoscopy to diagnose cancers of the digestive system.
The endocrinology unit delves into the function of hormones and our four major endocrine glands through activities such as clay models, worksheets, and a pituitary gland simulation. Furthermore, lessons about the pancreas and its respective hormones will be used to explain diabetes, proper nutrition and what goes wrong when this organ is cancerous.
The Radiology Unit is split into three main types of “seeing” into the body, including an MRI, a CT Scan, an Endoscope. It also includes a virtual reality experience describing the differences between them and how they can be used to detect abnormalities in the body, including cancer. Thanks to a gift and the creativity of Kathryn Webb, we received wooden CT scan setups for this unit.
The Ophthalmology unit focused on eyes, including its internal anatomy, and used both an oreo and a styrofoam eye model for demonstration purposes. The leaders also performed an eye dissection using 3D-printed eyes that had cancer which students surgically removed with a make-shift laparoscopic device.
The speaking engagements for endocrinology, ophthalmology, and radiology were cancelled due to COVID-19. The Radiology and Opthamology Units have been postponed to next academic year for the same reason. We look forward to implementing the new curriculum we are writing currently for the Fall semester including Radiology, Pathology, Lymphology, and Laparoscopy!