University of Wisconsin–Madison

Kids Explore Nursing at Grandparents University

A girl smiles, wide-eyed, as her grandmother listens to a medical mannequin's vitals through a stethoscope in the Center for Technology-Enhanced Nursing.
Participants listen to a medical mannequin’s vitals through a stethoscope in the Center for Technology-Enhanced Nursing in Cooper Hall.

Grandparents University® (GPU) offers a unique opportunity for the young and young-at-heart to share in a love of learning. It’s a chance to create wonderful memories, strengthen connections, and enjoy hands-on activities in majors led by top UW faculty and staff.

This year, the School of Nursing welcomed a group of kids and elders for a session examining the critical role nurses play in patient care, exploring places where nurses work, and learning more about what nurses really do.

The group participated in a variety of interactive activities, including practicing basic nursing skills using human-patient simulators, playing computer games designed to teach medical terms, and learning about how nurses keep patients safe.

Clinical Instructor Britta Lothary stands at the front of a large room, smiling. Behind her is a slide showing Bucky Badger and the word "Welcome."
Clinical Instructor Britta Lothary welcomes the group.
Kids and their grandparents writing on cards. Kids are smiling.
Participants create their own nursing badges.
A student ambassador addresses the group in one of the active learning classrooms in Cooper Hall.
Student Ambassador Allie Young gives the group a tour of an active learning classroom in Cooper Hall.
A girl and her grandmother look at historic nursing uniforms in the nursing history museum in Cooper Hall.
Traveling back through time at the nursing history museum in Cooper Hall.
A girl and her grandfather complete an activity in the simulated home environment in the Center for Technology-Enhanced Nursing in Cooper Hall.
Doing a safety scan in the simulated home environment in the Center for Technology-Enhanced Nursing in Cooper Hall.
Kids and their grandparents gathered around a simulation mannequin, while using stethoscopes.
Completing a health assessment on a medical mannequin.
Kids raise their hands while completing an activity in an active learning classroom in Cooper Hall.
Preparing to complete the health assessment activity.
Kids pose in front of a red UW photo banner with fun nursing photo props.
Posing for a group photo at the end of the day.