STUDENTS ENJOY NEW LEARNING APPROACH

Jennifer Willis snapped on the latex glove and bravely reached out to touch the pig lungs as they rhythmically inflated and deflated with help from a ventilator. "Yuck," she squealed.

As her classmates from Cape Christian School took their turns to touch the lungs, Willis explained that the lungs were really pretty gross but The Learning Generation event was pretty fun.

Sponsored by Southeast Missouri Hospital with help from dozens of area health-care providers, the event continues today. In all some 2,200 third-graders from 22 towns will participate.

"One lung felt like dry skin. The other was all gooey, and it looked like blood was dried on it," she said.

But she was first in line for the next stop, a tour of an ambulance.

Twenty different educational experiences are set up in the Show Me Center ranging from uniformed police officers talking about personal safety to a mock supermarket where children select meals and snacks then learn whether their choices make good nutrition.

Veterinarians from LaCroix Pet Hospital talked with youngsters about pet health and brought along some furry friends.

Cape Girardeau police officer Danny Niswonger talked with children about life with a physical challenge. Then children attempted a relay race using wheelchairs.

Third-graders got a chance to watch bacteria grow, learned a few sign language phrases and took a look at x-rays.

The Cape Girardeau County Medical Society Alliance offered lessons on managing anger. Children also learned "stress busters" suitable for their age.

Highlighting the program was a storytelling holiday from master storyteller and comedian Denny Dey and mime master David Naster. The Kansas City team showed children that laughter helps lead to good health.

"I really liked Health Jeopardy," Willis said. "I was the captain."

And her team did well answering questions about digestion, bones and the heart.

The Learning Generation was first held last year. The one-day event filled up within 36 hours. Hospital officials expanded the event to two days this year.

Children from 93 classes in 22 towns in Southeast Missouri and Southern Illinois were scheduled to participate.