Coming to the University of Windsor for the Human Body Health Fair made for a fun day for a group from Marlborough Public School. "It's good for them to experience a different learning environment," said Rick Onslow, who teaches grades four and five at the west end elementary school. About 50 students, ranging from grade four to six, filled Ambassador Auditorium on Tuesday to engage in activities and displays designed by first-year nursing students.
"We've been running this event for about 10 years," said nursing professor Kathy Pfaff. "We see it as a community partnership between us and the schools." She said it dovetails nicely between the nursing program—the first year centres around health education—and the elementary curriculum. "One of the teachers told me I had to be proud of how well the nursing students did," Pfaff said. "Not only were they knowledgeable, they were able to connect at an appropriate level."
Master's student Melissa Swetech coordinated the event and said it proved rewarding. "It's a privilege to be able to do this for these kids," she said. "They're so eager to learn."
The fair will continue Thursday with a group of grade five pupils from General Brock Public School.