This experiential learning opportunity provides a hands-on experience, working side-by-side with elderly individuals at the Roland Park Place. Students will have a chance to interact with residents that have both short-term and long-term cognitive and physical impairments. The residents typically live on the premises but may also be participating in a daytime care only program. Students will interact with the residents in various enriching ways in order to develop a better understanding of how our mind and body ages with time. Students will gain hands-on experience working with residents with dementia, Alzheimer’s and other cognitive impairments that effect the body and the brain. Students MUST attend a mandatory orientation and a mandatory exit session (see Section Web Notes for dates/times). Students are required to provide a written description of their experiences and to discuss their experiences at the exit session.

Time Commitment: a minimum of five (1-2 hours) visits during the semester. Students must provide updated medical immunization records to include – flu shot, COVID-19 and PPD (tuberculosis). Background check required. Transportation will be provided by the JHMI shuttle.

1 credit – S/U Grading Only. Register for AS.080.404 in SIS

This was my second semester volunteering at Roland Park Place and it was very meaningful to participate once again, whether it was engaging with the residents in trivia activities, leading reading sessions, or merely being there to support and interact with the residents. I reflect how meaningful it was to be present there, even if I wasn’t leading an activity, because the residents were so appreciative of any company we were giving them. I loved volunteering, striking up
conversations with residents, and seeing residents who I’d seen over months continue their participation in activities. I’ve gained practical skills and knowledge on how to interact and engage elderly communities in a residential care setting, and this is so important to me because one of my life goals is to pursue geriatric medicine. I really want to work with elderly
communities and those who have memory impairment, so volunteering at Roland Park Place has been a great opportunity to interact with residents, each of whom have their own engaging story and who I have been so grateful to learn from and meet with.

Gabriel, Class of 2024

My experience in RPP was really important to me because it allowed me to interact with people that experience the disease that I study in my research. Through my visits every week, I was able to develop “relations” with many of the residents. Even though they would forget about me the next week that I came in, it still felt like there was a connection that was
established. Specifically, I visited Ms. Roswell many times over the course of the semester. At the beginning she was able to recognize me, but after a few weeks, she started to forget who I was. But even still, I came in every week to talk to her.

Herbert, Class of 2023

The goal of Making Neuroscience Fun (MNF), a community outreach program, is to educate Baltimore city and county elementary school students, on how to achieve good mental health by focusing on the role the brain plays in our Social, Physical, Emotional and Cognitive (SPEC) health. The MNF-Brain Health: It’s SPECtacular program focuses on using scientific research as the foundation for developing information about brain (mental) health and relaying the information in an age-appropriate manner. In order to participate, JHU students must be available for a 3 hours block of time at least one day per week, Monday-Friday. Students MUST attend a mandatory orientation and a mandatory exit session held on the Homewood campus (TBD). Transportation to the schools will be via the Hopkins Shuttle.

1 credit – S/U Grading Only. Register for AS.080.402 in SIS

Through this opportunity, I was able to educate these students about topics they may not have otherwise learned, which can be important in keeping them engaged in STEM as well as helping them learn about their own health. From a personal
standpoint, I was also able to improve my communication and presentation skills. I learned how share educational material in a way that is specifically catered to a younger audience. Overall, since I am interested in the medical field and specifically pediatrics, this opportunity was impactful in that it allowed me to work with a younger population and teach them about
neuroscience and brain health.

Shriya, Class of 2024

The Making Neuroscience Fun Experiential Learning class was definitely a great experience. I think I learned a lot about kids, teachers, and what it’s like to teach. Before this class, I didn’t have much experience with kids, so I only had a limited idea about what they would be like in first grade. I definitely underestimated how much energy they have! However, like others commented in the exit session, I was also surprised by how much they understood about the topics we presented. Kids definitely don’t get enough credit for how smart they are and how much they can understand about even complex topics like neuroscience and mental health and I really enjoyed seeing that firsthand.

Sofia, Class of 2024

In this experiential learning opportunity, students will work with children who have a variety of neurological disabilities, including autism, cerebral palsy and Down syndrome through exercise and recreational activities. We partner with the KEEN (Kids Enjoy Exercise Now), a nonprofit organization. Student “coaches” will receive a profile for the KEEN athlete that they will pair up with during a session. Students will receive initial training and then select 4 sessions to attend. Sessions are held on the first and third Sunday of each month during the semester at KEEN centers in Maryland. Students MUST attend a mandatory orientation and a mandatory exit session held on the Homewood campus (see section web notes for days/times). Students are required to present a written description of their experiences and to discuss their experiences at the exit session.

Transportation will be via student carpools using Zipcars, personal vehicles or Hop Vans.

1 credit – S/U Grading Only. Register for AS.080.401 in SIS

Watch the volunteer orientation video.

Through KEEN I feel like I have grown as a person, and learned skills and character traits that will make me be a better physician as I pursue medicine. Most importantly I learned to always look deeper than just the patient or the athlete, looking past their disabilities, to acknowledge the person. Despite what is seen at face value they have skills and passions just like myself and want to be treated as normal kids. If you are able to accomplish this, and look past the disability, I have learned there is much they can teach me. Therefore, I encourage future volunteers to go all in, and not be afraid to be
embarrassed, to treat the athletes like how you would treat your own friends and celebrate their success while not boxing them into what you see in their disabilities. By doing this I have seen the value in KEEN while learning important life lessons such as resiliency, patience, and communication.

Paul, Class of 2023

I am really glad that I had the opportunity to have this experience as it allowed me to first hand experience working with people with disabilities. I think working with these athletes and seeing them happy to engage with us and having fun was
a really rewarding experience. I did experience some finding effective ways of and how to handle different situations such as the athletes not engaging and just going away. Overall, however I quickly got better at addressing these issues as the semester progressed. I defiantly learned how to find better ways of communicating with them and I think this will help me
professionally, as being a doctor involves communicating with patients that may be challenging to communicate with. I also think that this experience has even more so pushed me towards going to my ultimate profession, as I got reminded of just how rewarding helping others in need can be. I hope to continue working with KEEN and I hope I can even further improve on my ability to work with people.

Jeffrey, Class of 2024

Aphasia is a disorder caused by damage to the parts of the brain that control language, which affects a person’s ability to use or comprehend spoken and written words. Although aphasia affects a person’s ability to communicate, it does not affect their intellect. It can occur as a result of a head trauma, tumor, or, in most cases, a stroke (one third of all stroke survivors are diagnosed with aphasia). In this practicum, students will receive training in supportive communication techniques and work as a communication partner with an individual with aphasia for two hours per week at the Snyder Center for Aphasia Life Enhancement.

The mission of the Snyder Center for Aphasia Life Enhancement is to improve the quality of life for people living with aphasia and their families by providing individuals with a place to connect and by offering interactive group activities designed to support and empower members as they re-engage with the community.

Prerequisites: Students with a junior or senior status. Students must have taken and earned an A- or above in 080.203, 050.203, 050.105, or 050.311. A minimum major GPA of 3.5 is required.

Three class meetings for orientation and reading assignments will be held on campus; training and practicum will be conducted at a local aphasia support center, the Snyder Center for Aphasia Life Enhancement. Transportation required.

Register for AS.080.505 in SIS