Youth Education Programs
Since 1979, the Mississippi Valley Regional Blood Center has been reaching out to young people throughout its service region. Through our Youth Education Program, MVRBC offers programs that teach students from early elementary levels through high school about the biology of blood, the Blood Center’s role in the community and the importance of blood donation.
MVRBC offers these programs to area schools free of charge to help educate the next generation of blood donors. Our objective is to use the power of education to dispel myths and fears about blood and the donation process, and encourage young people to support the Blood Center as donors when they become eligible to give blood.
To learn more, please fill out our inquiry form, below.
Programs for elementary school students
This includes an interactive activities workbook, written at the 4-6 grade level to be used as a resource for the teacher when covering blood in their Science curriculum. It could also be used as extra in-class reading and study material for students needing supplemental materials. It contains a brief study of blood components along with games and puzzles, and also has a Teacher’s Guide for classroom use.
Workbook is available free of charge. For information, please fill out our inquiry form, below.
Programs for middle school and high school students
Instructional sessions include age appropriate topics such as blood biology, blood groups and types, genetics (inheritance of blood types), blood needs, historical perspectives and a description of the donation process.
The sessions are usually held during science or health classes. Videos, PowerPoint presentations and workbook activities provide structure to the sessions and meet the objectives of the program. With parental permission, students can also learn their blood type.
Program content can also be customized to the interest and aptitude of classes. For example, in Advanced Placement classes, special topics might include stem cell research, sickle cell anemia, umbilical cord blood, and other current blood topics.
Instructional programs are available free of charge. For information, please fill out our inquiry form, below.
Public museum exhibits
The Blood Center has partnered with local agencies and foundations to create children’s displays at regional museums, including The Family Museum of Arts and Sciences, Bettendorf, Iowa and Discovery Depot, Galesburg, Illinois. Using original artwork flavored with local themes, the displays promote positive lifestyle choices, explain blood biology, the circulatory system and the importance of blood donation at a child’s ability level. Part of each exhibit is an interactive display to engage the children in learning about blood.
More recently, we have added a traveling interactive computer game for schools, libraries and other venues to educate children about the parts of blood. The traveling computer game is available to schools and libraries free of charge. For information, please fill out our inquiry form, below.
Click here to fill out our Youth Education Program inquiry form.