“I love JMA because they teach us about cool things like cancer and stopping aging which isn’t boring like school.”
-Hansimi, Grade 3
“My mom is impressed when I come and tell her what I learned.”
-Victoria, Grade 4
Fremont, CA — On May 26, 2017, Junior Medical Academy (JMA) completed its first semester of function with Brier Elementary School, a local Tier I school, with commendable results. JMA cofounders, Reetam Ganguli and Tianhui (Lily) Yang, and fellow high school volunteers were able to introduce high school level biology and its applications to underprivileged students K-6 through the use of creative games and original presentations. At the end of the course, a survey of 38 Brier Elementary School students ranging from third to sixth grade was collected. Out of the 38 students, 100 percent responded that they learned something new and 82.4 percent responded that participating in JMA made them more interested in science and/or biology.
“I like the teachers. I learned everything about our body: DNA, the mutations, and cells,” said Daezha, a sixth grader from Brier Elementary. “JMA is different from my science class because they talk about anything related to science.”
With the emphasis on science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) becoming increasingly popular, it is necessary to provide ample opportunities to young students to help them discover their passions within these fields, especially to children from underprivileged backgrounds whose options are often restricted. JMA responds to this trend as it supplements the material and enjoyment that is generally left out of the standard curriculum. Additionally, JMA attempts to combat the infamous cycle of memorizing and forgetting as it creates a fun, more relatable learning environment that associates new information with the children’s interests—Pokemon, for example.
“I like the teachers. I learned everything about our body: DNA, the mutations, and cells. JMA is different from my science class because they talk about anything related to science.”
-Daezha, Grade 6
But, why biology? JMA explains that the topics taught within biology at the elementary level compared to a professional level are essentially the same—only the depth of the information differs. With its minimal math requirements at the fundamental level and its cumulative nature, biology can be easily incorporated. JMA believes that introducing biology to younger students allows for the creation of a strong foundation that can make the students more prepared for high school biology and competitive science events.
“I really like it because they teach stuff in the funnest way possible. I learned about DNA and genes. It is different from science class because they are way more fun.”
-Nasin, Grade 4
JMA co-founder Reetam Ganguli introduces the students at Brier Elementary to the program.
The JMA team poses with the students at Brier Elementary after completing the course and receiving their certificates.
“JMA teaches me stuff I will use in my high school and life, and I will be good in science because I really want to do research when I grow up.”
-Ahman, Grade 6
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