Duke BOOST (Building Opportunities and Overtures in Science and Technology) is a comprehensive program designed to spark interest in science among young people and inspire them to pursue careers in medicine and related fields. BOOST caters to students in grades 6-8 from Durham Public Schools, focusing on underrepresented communities, including African American, Latinx, and Indigenous students, girls, and students from economically disadvantaged families.
Members of Duke’s Department of Head and Neck Surgery & Communication Sciences (HNS&CS) shared their knowledge of surgical skills, the physiology of voice & swallowing, the physiology of hearing, and ear anatomy to 8th-grade students from areas of the Triangle through the Duke BOOST Program on Science Saturday.
The program consisted of four hands-on components: a flexible laryngoscope obstacle course and video otoscope demonstration, an overview of swallowing, a discussion on head and neck cancer and the function of vocal cords post-removal, the use of the electrolarynx medical device, hearing and audiological testing, and voice production and breathing.
We extend our special thanks to Dr. Janet Lee, MD FAAP, Gina R. Vess, MA CCC-SLP, Leda Scearce, M.M., M.S., CCC-SLP, Annika Wilson, MS, CCC-SLP, and Karma Tockman, Au.D., CCC-A for their contributions to organizing and participating in the event.
Duke HNS&CS is committed to creating a diversity pipeline to HNS&CS professions by engaging youth from underrepresented populations in STEM and healthcare projects.