Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine after-school program nourishes young minds and bodies

Catherine Doss

11 Jul 2024

Two male medical students sitting at a table across from three young boys working with building materials. — Matt Drescher (at left) and Adam Hoch, both members of the medical school's Class of 2027, help students build spines during a session on engineering. Teams competed to see who could build the strongest spine using popsicle sticks, straws, and pipe cleaners. Photo by Kris Rau for Virginia Tech.

For four weeks every fall and spring, children at Roanoke’s West End Center for Youth learn about how their bodies work and how to keep them healthy through good nutrition and exercise. Thanks to a group of medical student volunteers from the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine and graduate students from the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC, the Bodies and Bites program brings a refreshing wave of inspiration and education to underserved youth in the after-school program.

“A lot of times, we offer concepts and activities that these kids have never experienced before in their schools, so it’s a lot of fun for them,” said Kris Rau, assistant professor of basic science education at the medical school. “Plus, having a snack at the end is an easy sell.”

Each week, students learn about body systems such as the nervous or cardiovascular systems and end the lesson by making a snack that relates to what they learned that day. For example, one day they looked at cells under microscopes and then made their own cells out of rice cakes and fruit.

“It’s a lot of fun to teach the kids how to make healthy snacks and how healthy foods benefit their bodies,” Rau said. “In some cases, the snacks might be the only meals these children have for the rest of the day.”

For student volunteers, Rau says the program gives them an opportunity to practice communicating complex concepts to the level of grade schoolers as well as build mini friendships with their young charges.

“I think the best part for me is just getting to teach these students new ways of understanding their bodies and health. They’re so hungry for this knowledge,” said Jacqueline "Q" Urdang, a medical student from the Class of 2026. “Part of what makes the program so special to me is that the students not only learn from us, but we learn from them. They teach me new dance moves and slang and how to interact with the youth in my community, which will make me a better doctor.”

A young student stands between two female medical students making snacks in a kitchen. — Shestruma Parajuli (at left) and Meagan Gabby, both members of the Class of 2027, help students make energy bites during a session on genetics. Students made the snacks after isolating DNA from strawberries. Photo by Kris Rau for Virginia Tech.

Bodies and Bites serves second and third graders in the fall and fourth and fifth graders in the spring. Rau develops age-appropriate curriculum but encourages student volunteers to go “off script” to enhance interactions with the youngsters.

“I let their own creativity and talent shine through,” he said. “It’s fun to see them take my simple lesson plans and develop them into so much more.”

Connor "C" Hebert, from the medical school's Class of 2027, was drawn to volunteering with the Bodies and Bites program because of their love for working with children.

“I saw it as an awesome way for us to be able to contribute to the community in a meaningful way during our time in medical school,” they said. “A lot of these kids don’t have a lot of attention at home. Offering them a chance to have a snack and a lesson in a safe environment are all things that are productive to childhood development.”

Male medical student looks on as a youngster looks through a microscope — Varun Mishra of the Class of 2026 helps a young student look at tissue from the human body during a session on cell biology. Students were able to stain some of their own cheek cells and look at them under a microscope. Photo by Kris Rau for Virginia Tech.

Urdang and Hebert both praised Rau’s commitment to community service and outreach.

“He’s constantly looking for things like this to get medical students interested in taking an active role in their own communities,” Hebert said.

“I could never do this without the student volunteers,” Rau said. “I’m so grateful that they want to get out the classroom for a bit and engage with the community.”

Danny Britton, operations director at the West End Center, said Bodies and Bites complements two programs that staff at the center teach yearly: STEM education and fitness and nutrition. The center serves about 150 children each year who live in some of Roanoke’s most disadvantaged neighborhoods. The center strives to equip children with the developmental assets they need to become productive, responsible adults.

“Bodies and Bites offers a hands-on approach to learning that the children love,” he said. “They are always very excited when it’s their group’s turn to participate. Kris and all the medical students do an outstanding job and we are very grateful for everything they do.”

Rau has received funding for the program from the Dana Foundation and the Virginia Tech Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning.