National Backpack Awareness Day

The 1st and 2nd year occupational therapy students at The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center (OUHSC) went to area elementary schools in Oklahoma City, Edmond, Norman, and Tulsa on September 15 2010.  One group of occupational therapy students went to the OUHSC student union.   Each group of occupational therapy students was responsible for developing ways to engage and teach the students about proper backpack wearing and the profession of occupational therapy.  The occupational therapy students taught the elementary students about backpack safety through demonstration, games and asking the kids different questions.  The kids weighed themselves and their backpacks to determine if their backpack was 15% of their body weight.    The kids then took handouts home to discuss with their parents and help promote future backpack awareness.  Overall the children responded well to the different activities and the students enjoyed the opportunity to teach about backpack safety along with their profession.  The day was a complete success! 

Written by:
Kristen Roberts and Leslie Young, 2nd YR OT OUHSC Students

New Oklahoma FAOTA! Beth DeGrace will receive the AOTA Roster of Fellows designation at the 2010 Annual Conference and Expo in Orlando, FL in April. Her award is for excellence in service and scholarship. Beth joined the OUHSC faculty in 2001 and is a state and national expert in family occupations, specifically in families with children with autism. Beth becomes the 2nd FAOTA in the state. Sharon Sanderson is also a Fellow of the AOTA. (we’ll add a picture in April)