Jackson Free Press

Saturday, March 23, the Mississippi Children's Museum is hosting "Question It? Discover It!" a monthly program sponsored by Children's Healthcare of Mississippi, which is part of the University of Mississippi Medical Center. The program has been operating for six months.

"(QI?DI!) allows UMMC doctors to come in one Saturday a month to teach children and families about STEM subjects," Kathleen See, the museum's marketing coordinator, said.

STEM is an acronym for fields of study: science, technology, engineering and mathematics. The STEM initiative seeks to address the shortage of skilled workers and inadequate education in these subjects and the concern that the subjects are often taught in isolation instead of as an integrated curriculum.

"We want children to have more hands-on experience with STEM fields," See said. "This is also an opportunity for them to learn about a local facility that has done great things for the community, such as the recent AIDS cure. It also allows parents to ask doctors about health-related issues like allergies or development issues. The children also get to see the museum's World and Work gallery and get hands-on experiences (with various jobs)."

In this month's QI?DI!, children will learn about specialty health care. Thirteen UMMC doctors will be at the museum to teach children about different specialties, such as neurology, dentistry, endocrinology and critical care.

"The doctors will be bringing in tools used in the doctor's office," See said. "This will hopefully make doctors more approachable and less frightening, by giving the children the chance to see the tools they use and learn about them."

A Fondren resident, See is originally from Wesson, Miss. She went to Wesson Attendance Center until 10th grade. Afterward, she graduated high school from Mississippi School for Math and Science. See attended college at Mississippi State University, where she majored in communications with an emphasis on public relations.

"The museum is a great organization to be a part of," See said. "No day is the same here. It's always a learning experience, no matter old you are."

QI?DI! is Saturday, March 23, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Mississippi Children's Museum (2145 Highland Dr., 601-981-5469). For information visit the museum's website.