Meharry Medical College Hosted Science Career Program
Nearly 200 Nashville middle school students explored health careers at a hands-on exploration event.
Updated on Oct. 9, 2026 in Secondary Education
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Meharry Medical College recently hosted its G.O.A.L.S. science and health career exploration event for students from Haynes Middle School. The program, which stands for Go Out and Love Science, marked its fifth anniversary of operation.
Why it matters
The program introduces middle school students to various health care pathways to inspire the next generation of medical professionals. It provides early exposure to science and clinical environments during a pivotal stage of academic development.
Nearly 200 sixth, seventh, and eighth-grade students participated in the milestone fifth-anniversary event. This group represents the ongoing engagement effort between the college and local Nashville schools.
The players
Meharry Medical College
A prominent Nashville medical institution focused on training health professionals and improving community health outcomes.
Ascension Foundation
A philanthropic partner that collaborates with medical institutions to support health education and community outreach programs.
Haynes Middle School
A local Nashville middle school whose students participated in the science and health career exploration activities.
The details
Students rotated through various interactive learning stations designed to demonstrate medical techniques. These included hands-on activities such as suturing demonstrations, CPR instruction, and dental impressions. The event also featured X-ray and ultrasound demonstrations to connect students directly with Meharry student doctors and health professionals.
Timeline
The G.O.A.L.S. program was established in 2021.
The fifth anniversary celebration event took place on October 9, 2026.
The Home Front
Medical colleges across the country are increasingly establishing outreach programs to bridge the gap between classroom science and clinical career exposure. The Meharry Medical College G.O.A.L.S. program represents an expansion of these institutional efforts to cultivate local student interest.
Parents of middle school students can look for similar local enrichment events that provide early career exposure in STEM and health fields. Checking your school district’s calendar or university outreach portals can help you find upcoming opportunities for hands-on learning in your area.
The takeaway
The G.O.A.L.S. initiative highlights the value of early hands-on medical exposure for students planning their future academic paths. Families should consider reaching out to local colleges to inquire about youth engagement programs available to middle schoolers in their area.
Further reading
Learn more about local academic enrichment opportunities on our secondary-education page.
More information
For more information on programs and academic outreach, visit the Meharry Medical College institutional website.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Tennessee Tribune.
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