Resources For Students...
If you are a pharmacy student who is looking to make a meaningful impact in the community and promote pharmacists as accessible, trusted health care professionals, Community Education is for you! You have so much to gain from presenting; experience, interaction with kids, fun, knowledge, reference letters, pharmacy cup points…
Frequently Asked Questions About Community Education
What is the Community Education program?
The Community Education program is an APSA-endorsed program whose purpose is to share pharmacy and health-related information with the greater community in engaging and fun ways! Through classroom presentations, involvement in STEM conferences, and a variety of other educational events, the Community Education program provides pharmacy students with tons of volunteering opportunities that will help them strengthen their presenting, teaching, and leadership skills!
How does Community Education presentations work?
Presentations are targeted towards students ranging from kindergarten to high school. Each presentation features a specific health topic and may include additional activities to improve engagement (e.g. colouring/activity sheets, video link, etc). Specific details pertaining to each presentation (such as materials required, slides to review, time and date confirmation) will be emailed to you prior to the presentation date. Presentations can be done in pairs or up to groups of three! We look forward to offering both in-person and virtual presentation options this year to accommodate different schedules as much as possible. To sign up for a presentation, check out APSA Members’ Corner on Facebook to find the sign up spreadsheet!
Sign up spreadsheet: Click here
What will I be presenting?
The current presentations are as follow:
Target Audience: K-3
This interactive presentation teaches students about germs and emphasizes the importance of hand washing. Through the use of coloring activities and a puppet named Bugsy, students will learn to improve their hygiene and be introduced to the appropriate use of antibiotics.
Target Audience: K-3
This interactive presentation teaches students how to be SUPER heroes by protecting themselves and others from infectious diseases. This presentation will review the different ways we can help prevent the spread of infectious diseases such as handwashing, physical distancing, and wearing a mask.
Target Audience: K-3
In this presentation, students will learn what lice are, how they are spread, how to avoid transmission and what to do if a student becomes infected. This presentation consists of an interactive powerpoint along with coloring and activity sheets.
Target Audience: K-4
This presentation includes a short powerpoint that examines what a pharmacist does in the community and various workplaces. It emphasizes healthy medication taking and highlights the importance of the pharmacy profession to young children.
Target Audience: K-3, 4-6
This presentation discusses what an allergy is, the causes, and common allergy symptoms. Students will learn what they can do to help allergic friends, such as avoiding allergens, and the steps that should be taken if they are having an allergic reaction, such as how to use an Epipen auto-injector.
Target Audience: 5-6
The Skin Cancer Awareness program focuses on promoting safe sun attitudes and behaviors in Edmonton’s youth. This powerpoint from the Canadian Skin Cancer Foundation will present basic scientific information about ultraviolet light and skin cancers. Prevention methods and the ABCDE’s of skin cancer detection will also be highlighted.
Target Audience: 5-9
This presentation is designed to teach students about second-hand smoke and the devastating effects of smoking. It will review the effects of nicotine on the brain and body and will briefly evaluate how vaping and e-cigarettes are not much safer than cigarettes themselves.
Target Audience: 9-12
Examines the role of the pharmacist and explores the various settings where a pharmacist may choose to work (eg. drug store, hospital, pharmaceutical company, research facility, etc). Information regarding admission requirements for the Faculty of Pharmacy at the University of Alberta is also provided. This presentation is a good choice for Career Days or events with a similar theme.
Target Audience: 10-12
Examines the dangers and risks associated with smoking, providing students with compelling reasons not to start. This presentation also discusses the benefits of quitting smoking and briefly mentions available therapies to help with smoking cessation. Lastly, this presentation will also discuss the dangers of vaping and use of e-cigarettes.
What do I get out of doing these presentations?
Whether in person or online, these presentations give you a great opportunity to practice and perfect your public speaking and presenting skills! They also give you the chance to strengthen your educator skills, which we as future pharmacists will most definitely need (for all that patient education we do)! Signing up for presentations are also a great way to meet and work with fellow pharmacy students! Additionally, there will be numerous opportunities to win prizes and earn rewards throughout the school year for those who choose to participate in our various events. Reference letters can also be requested if you complete more than three presentations!
To sign-up for presentations, check out the sign-up spreadsheet posted on the APSA Member’s Corner Facebook page!
If you have any questions, please contact Community Education Director (APSAspeakers@gmail.com)