Governor’s Health Science Academy students visit Anthony L. & Hideko S. Burgess Interactive Learning Center (ILC) at Operation Smile

 

Select students from the Governor’s Health Sciences Academy of Bethel High School recently visited the Anthony L. & Hideko S. Burgess Interactive Learning Center (ILC) at Operation Smile.

 

The ILC was created to bring people closer to the organization’s work through the perspectives of nine friends – real Operation Smile patients who, despite many challenges and barriers, courageously took action and joined in hopes of receiving surgery and other essential treatments at surgical programs and care centers around the world.

 

Set in the birthplace of Operation Smile, the Philippines, the exhibit is equal parts legacy and learning. While visitors learn all about Operation Smile and its global efforts to deliver essential cleft care where it’s needed most, the exhibit also teaches visitors about how the organization supports the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, provides an opportunity for career exploration, and supports lessons in science, technology, engineering, the arts and math (STEAM) as well as Virginia Standards of Learning (SOLs). Perhaps most importantly, they hope everyone who experiences the ILC will leave with a greater sense of empathy and capacity for kindness. 

 

“We are blessed that the Operation Smile Headquarters is so close that we are able to experience and teach others about the life changing passion within the hearts of our healers,” said Kathleen May, HSE nurse aide program coordinator at Bethel. “Many of the students returned from this learning event interested in volunteering for one of the missions and wanting to create an Operation Smile Club at our school.”