Nashville, Tenn. – For five years, Meharry Medical College has been planting seeds of possibility in young minds through G.O.A.L.S.—Go Out and Love Science—an immersive, hands-on experience designed to introduce middle school students to science, medicine, dentistry and health-related careers.
Recently, nearly 200 sixth, seventh and eighth graders from Haynes Middle School came to Meharry’s campus for a full day of exploration, discovery and exposure to careers they may one day pursue themselves.
“Bringing the students onto campus deepens the exposure because they can actually see possibility,” said Majornette Jefferson, executive director of community engagement at Meharry. “You plant that seed in one moment, and you never know how it is going to grow and turn into something bigger. With G.O.A.L.S., we get a chance to see purpose in action.”
Created to teach young people the joys of science and to connect them with actual student doctors at Meharry, G.O.A.L.S. introduced young people to medicine to hopefully inspire the next generation of doctors.
Throughout the day, students rotated through interactive learning stations that transformed science from something they read about in textbooks into something they could see, touch and experience.
“Having the change to be part of all five G.O.A.L.S. events has been incredibly meaningful. Each one reminds me why I love working with kids,” said Lauren Waller, Miss Meharry 2026 and a fourth-year dental student. “They’re curious, energetic, full of personality and they keep you on your toes. Over the years, I’ve watched some of them grow up. Hearing them say ‘I remember you’ or seeing a spark of interest is such a full-circle moment.”
Activities included laboratory experiments, suturing demonstrations through Meharry’s Physician Assistant Sciences program, CPR instruction, blood pressure checks, ultrasound and X-ray demonstrations and dental activities where students learned about oral health and created dental impressions.
One student, Aden, who has participated in G.O.A.L.S. for three consecutive years, hopes to become a neurologist. Her interest began in elementary school when she picked up a book about neurology and became fascinated with the nervous system. “I really enjoy G.O.A.L.S. because it helps me learn new skills about the medical field, and it gives me a look into what I could be getting into in the future,” Aden said. “I also really like the activities.” Among the most valuable skills she has learned during her three years participating is CPR.
G.O.A.L.S. was made possible through a partnership with the Ascension Foundation whose vision aligns with Meharry Medical College. Kim Jassem, senior director, strategic operations for the foundation, said the fifth anniversary demonstrates how an idea centered on exposing young students to health care careers has developed into a meaningful annual experience. “We started off with a vision, thinking about how we could expose middle school students to health care careers and everything those careers can be,” Jassem said. “For five years, it has gotten better and better every year.”
Jassem said the power of the program comes from surrounding young people with educators, health professionals, students and mentors who believe in their potential. “I have always felt that it takes one person—one teacher—to change a student’s life,” Jassem said. “Here, at Meharry Medical College we have an entire school dedicated to changing students’ lives.”
The fifth-anniversary event also welcomed representatives from Metro Nashville government, the Tennessee General Assembly and Metro Nashville Public Schools. Attendees included Metro Council member Deonte Harrell, District 8; state Rep. Harold Love Jr.; representatives from the office of state Sen. Charlane Oliver and Metro Nashville Public Schools leaders, including Dr. Claudeen Denning, district lead STEM coach, Division of Curriculum and Instruction; and Dr. David Williams, deputy chief of academics.
Their presence offered community and education leaders an opportunity to see firsthand Meharry’s commitment to exposing young people to science and health careers. For Meharry, that exposure is particularly important during the middle school years, when students are beginning to identify their interests and imagine what their futures might look like.
G.O.A.L.S. builds on Meharry’s longstanding commitment to education, service and expanding pathways into the health sciences. Instead of simply telling young people that careers in science and health care are possible, Meharry makes it so they can experience the possibilities firsthand.
“This year was especially memorable attending the event as Miss Meharry,” Waller said. “A young girl I had seen before ran over to me—she was Miss Haynes Middle School, and that connection meant everything. It showed me that representation matters. G.O.A.L.S. isn’t just about service, it’s about planting seeds, building trust and sharing joy. I’m grateful to have grown with this program and hope to keep supporting it, even after I graduate!”
To learn more about G.O.A.L.S. visit www.meharry.edu
