Open Airways for Schools



MC respiratory Care students at Crockett Elementary School (6th grade)

Robert Weidmann
Director, Respiratory Care Program Program
Midland College

The Midland College Respiratory Care students participate annually in the American Lung Association's Open Airways for Schools program. It's designed to help elementary school children gain valuable asthma management skills, and become more confident about taking care of their disease. The asthma management skills taught in Open Airways for Schools help children with asthma to more effectively control their disease. Their friends, classmates, teachers and administrators also gain a better understanding of asthma. The net result is that when kids with asthma feel better, they go to school more ready and able to learn. With their asthma under control, they get a better chance for learning ... and living healthier lives.

The program usually takes about an hour, but can be flexible to work around the school's schedule. Following a brief introduction, students will rotate through stations typically set up for: anatomy and physiology, exercise, asthma triggers, asthma medications and delivery devices. After visiting each station, students will gather together for a brief summary.

This opportunity to teach children at schools throughout the Midland Independent School District about asthma, not only provides community service, but also gives the MC Respiratory Care students valuable experience in teaching others about respiratory disease. The second-year Respiratory Care students decide which school(s) to invite to participate, make the necessary scheduling arrangements, then organize and assign the presentations to be completed. The second-year students also solicit help from the first-year class to complete the preparations. Next year, the second-year students (this year's first-year group) will continue the cycle.