- School:
- UAB Heersink School of Medicine
- Academic Mentor:
- Dr. Shaundra Blakemore
- Site Mentor:
- Kawanna Brickler
- Site:
- YMCA Downtown Youth Center
Britney and Dan implemented a year-long cultural competency program for 5th and 6th grade students at the YMCA Youth Center. Using an “international passport” curriculum, they led weekly, interactive sessions that introduced students to diverse cultures through activities such as food tastings, language lessons, and traditional dance. They intentionally incorporated student interests into each session to create an engaging and relatable learning environment. Grounded in the motto, “Be curious, not critical. Ask, listen, and learn,” the project fostered open-mindedness, respect, and cultural awareness among participants.
Project Results
- Designed and facilitated weekly sessions at the YMCA Youth Center
- Introduced 20 students to 6 global cultures (China, India, South Korea, Latin America, Africa, and Vietnam)
- Led interactive sessions across multiple cultural topics, including music and language
- Incorporated ongoing student feedback to guide session development
- Developed a final video project highlighting student experiences