PT faculty share research with high school students

The University of North Georgia's (UNG) Doctor of Physical Therapy faculty welcomed about 50 high school students and teachers from Hall County and Hawaii on Oct. 7 to learn more about university research opportunities.

Students who attended were able to hear about research on guide dogs, core strength, stroke patients, and bone models. They are enrolled in or have already completed Advanced Placement (AP) Research, a class during which they conduct undergraduate-level research in a high school classroom. Additionally, these students are expected to produce a paper of 4,000-5,000 words and a presentation of 15-20 minutes.

The Hall County School District, which brought students from Cherokee Bluff, Chestatee and Flowery Branch high schools, was glad to connect with UNG on the research day. Teachers from Mililani High School in Hawaii connected with Dr. Emily Lott, global lead teacher for the AP Research course and English language arts content specialist for Hall County Schools, wishing to visit campuses and have an engaging research experience while in Georgia. This prompted Lott to reach out to UNG and find a way to get UNG, Hall County Schools and Mililani together for AP Research Day.

"These students and teachers were interested in working alongside UNG to understand how research works in the higher education classroom," Dr. Sue Ann McCall, UNG associate department head of physical therapy, said. "Many of these students are prospective applicants for UNG."

In addition to McCall, physical therapy faculty who shared their work with high school students were Dr. Kimberly Castle, department head and professor, and Dr. Eunse Park, associate professor.

These students and teachers were interested in working alongside UNG to understand how research works in the higher education classroom.

Dr. Sue Ann McCall

UNG associate department head of physical therapy

Leilani Bethancourt, a senior from Mililani High School, walked away from the experience encouraged by what she saw.

"It was really beneficial because we got to see what we would actually be doing in college research," she said.

Lincoln Lunt, a senior from Flowery Branch High School, particularly enjoyed seeing how an instrumented treadmill can help physical therapists research ways to help stroke patients.

"It's really interesting to see how you can apply neuroscience to physical therapy," Lunt said.

The connections made between UNG and the high schools are a prime example of how UNG serves northeast Georgia.

"The idea that they are engaged in this conversation with kids in their community is really important," Lott said. "We're here. We're ready for it. High school teachers want to bring their kids here."