Activist Lab

Student Creates Public Health Course for Teens to Turn ‘Frustration and Hopelessness into Action’

Amid the increased intention public health has received in local, national, and international conversations, School of Public Health student Samantha Burkhart saw an opportunity to take advantage of that public awareness to create change. As the community engagement coordinator for the Student Senate, Burkhart reached out to the Boston Area Health Education Center (BAHEC) in hopes of building on the relationship between SPH and BAHEC to create a semester-long program for BAHEC students to learn about the work of public health. Burkhart coordinated with Becca Rector, BAHEC’s high school education coordinator, to develop a curriculum with the help of five SPH student facilitators and launch the new program called ‘Creating Change Through Public Health.” 

Every Wednesday from 4-5:30 pm, the SPH facilitators engage 23 students in topics related to public health, through the lens of creating social justice. Burkhart and her co-facilitators share what this experience has meant to them, especially given the challenges of the past year.  

How did this program get started?

It really evolved last spring and summer. Seeing an increased interest in public health due to the pandemic and a more common acknowledgment from the world that racism is a public health issue really got me thinking about what BUSPH students could do to meet the moment. I wanted to find a way to continue the excitement about public health while reaching those who might not be introduced to the field at a young age. Additionally, I realized that young people, especially those who identify as BIPOC, are probably feeling an additional sense of frustration, fatigue, and hopelessness due to the continued racism in our country and the failure of those in highest office to not only fail to recognize it but to promote it. It was my hope that I could use my role in the Student Senate as community engagement director to find a way to channel the energy to dismantle systemic racism into action. 

Why did you decide to reach out to the Boston Area Health Education Center (BAHEC)?

BAHEC has been doing the work of getting underserved and underrepresented teens into healthcare fields since 1978. The incredible people working at BAHEC know the teens and the Boston community better than anyone. The passion and energy that Becca, Anthony, and Tierra bring to the work they do is incredibly inspiring. BUSPH had worked with BAHEC in the past so we had a relationship with them. It was my goal to see how BUSPH could support the work that BAHEC is doing knowing and that happened to be a program run by BUSPH students focused on how the teens can create societal level change through public health. 

My biggest hope for the future is that someday we will see the BAHEC teens in roles that position them to be the Chief Health Strategists of their communities. We always talk about health equity for all, by all. The best way to get there, in my opinion, is to support and listen to our young people. 

What’s included in the ‘Creating Change Through Public Health’ curriculum? 

Our main goal is to turn any frustration, hopelessness, and motivation into action. We want the teens to see that they have the power to change the structures of oppression and racism that lead to unequal and unjust health outcomes. These teens are so smart and already understand so much about public health and social justice. Our curriculum is really focused on giving them the tools, resources, and confidence to go out and make a change with the knowledge and motivation that they already possess. We want them to realize that no matter what they do in the future, they have the ability to make a difference as the experts of their own lived experience. Obviously, this is quite the task! So far I think we’re doing a good job. The end of program evaluation will hopefully give us better insight into evaluating our objectives but so far we’ve received some great feedback from the teens! 

What do you hope the BUSPH Facilitators gain from this experience?

For me, I hope to create meaningful connections with the teens. They know how to make a change in their communities better than any of us do and it’s my hope that I can continue to learn from and assist them in any way that I can! I’m really lucky that I get to work with the awesome people at BAHEC and BUSPH to bring this program to life. When we talk about engaging in authentic community health, we should turn to BAHEC as a model example of how to successfully engage, empower, and listen to those who know their communities best.  

What’s next for this program?

Really whatever BAHEC needs from us! I’d love to see the program run annually and get more BUSPH students involved in facilitating it. Consistency is key, and if we could make this a staple of BUSPH and the Activist Lab, that would be incredibly impactful. I can see it growing into other healthcare fields within BU, but again, it’s really about how we can best support BAHEC and the teens they partner with.

If there are any students or alumni reading this and you’re interested in getting involved, please reach out to me so we can have a conversation! 

Looking back on what you’ve accomplished so far, what have you learned from this experience?

Gosh, I don’t even know where to start! I’ve learned so much in the short time the program has been running and I know I’ll learn so much more. I’m incredibly grateful for the support and lessons I’ve learned from Becca Rector. She really has taught all of us how to design and implement a curriculum for teens, but more importantly, how to connect and have fun with some really cool young people!

Meet the SPH student co-facilitators

HALEY PIETTE: “I got involved in BAHEC because I believe in their mission and wanted to be able to engage with local students during the pandemic to help provide a fun and welcoming space to discuss all that public health has to offer!”

ALEXANDRIA WHITTED: “My introduction to the possibility of a health career was made possible by the NC-South East Area Health Education Center (SEAHEC). Because of the amazing impact that experience had on me, I found it in my heart to pay in forward and volunteer with the BAHEC. Every week the BAHEC scholars learn how to be change-makers and teach me how to be a better advocate for the generation of public health practitioners coming behind me.”

ALEX ROSENTHAL: “I got involved because when I was a teen the most meaningful experiences for me were from recent graduates sharing their knowledge and stories. The BAHEC students are so eager to learn, and it has been a wonderful experience working with them!”

MICHAELA HARRIS: “I understand how important representation is in any field and the immense impact it has on the minds and potential aspirations of the youth. Through teaching this curriculum to BAHEC students I have become even more aware of the bridge between the material I’m learning at BUSPH and putting it into practice with my students. It’s also humbling to work with students during these unprecedented times as they are dealing with some challenges that I have never had to face.”

MARIA TJILOS: “I got involved with the program because I really believe that change starts with the young generation and I love to help nurture their passions and watch them grow to be positive agents within their communities.”