Twelve local students received recognition from the American Heart Association and Penn State Health Children's Hospital and the opportunity to learn what it takes to become a health care hero during an exclusive STEM education day. These students - winners of an essay contest focused on health care heroes - recently gathered at the Penn State College of Medicine for a full day of hands-on learning experiences, instruction, and conversations with Penn State Health physicians and health care professionals.

The students spent the morning learning and practicing real-world clinical skills in the college's simulation (SIM) center, including robotic surgery techniques, patient ventilation, hands-only CPR and AED response, and identifying intravenous lines. They also learned about the structure of the heart and worked together to turn a pile of craft supplies into a functioning heart replica.

The essay contest invited students in grades six through 11 who are interested in learning more about STEM outside of their regular classroom work to submit essays about their favorite health care hero, whether that person is a well-known historical figure or someone in their community. The winners include Shania Berkheimer, Spring Grove Area High School; Cassie Bollinger, Ephrata Middle School; Tori DeFrancesco, Mount Carmel Area Junior/Senior High School; Courtlyn Gould, Red Lion Area Senior High School; Amaya Jones, Ephrata Middle School; Jazleyn Linares, Red Lion Area Junior High School; Elaina Martin, Red Lion Area Junior High School; Carly Railing, Penn Manor High School; Viktoria Reber, Gettysburg Area Middle School; Brennan Stewart, Eastern York Middle School; Alem Tesfaye, Central York High School; and Yahidanny Vargas Martinez, Lebanon High School.

The STEM education day and essay contest were part of Penn State Health Children's Hospital's Youth Health Movement Platform Sponsorship with the American Heart Association. The sponsorship supports a variety of educational opportunities for students throughout central Pennsylvania that participate in the American Heart Association's Kids Heart Challenge program.

For more information about the American Heart Association's kids' health initiatives, visit http://www.heart.org/kids.