(EL PASO INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT – February 4, 2025) – First graders at Tippin Elementary School received a hands-on lesson in healthcare thanks to students from Franklin High School’s P-TECH medical program. The high schoolers hosted the first-ever Teddy Bear Health Clinic, an interactive event designed to teach young students about lifesaving skills and careers in the medical field.
As part of the event, nearly 90 Franklin sophomores visited Tippin classrooms, using teddy bears to demonstrate CPR techniques and how to check vital signs. The goal was to spark curiosity about healthcare professions while equipping first graders with practical emergency preparedness skills.
“I think this event is really important because it allows these young students to start learning about the careers that are out there,” said Lilia Buckard, P-TECH Teacher Leader. “This event could spark that interest, and who knows? Maybe we’ll see some of these little ones become doctors or nurses someday.”
The Teddy Bear Health Clinic was spearheaded by Franklin seniors Ayla Apodaca and Sebastian Garcia, who worked alongside their P-TECH peers and instructors to organize the event. As the first group to complete the full P-TECH program at Franklin, Apodaca and Garcia also trained sophomore students to lead hands-on lessons with the first graders.
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“We’re trying to create a stronger community within our feeder pattern,” Buckard said. “We also helped put this event together to teach the sophomore students how to work with children while showing the first graders how to take care of themselves in case of an emergency.”
Beyond CPR demonstrations, the Franklin students guided the first graders through engaging, hands-on activities, including:
✔️ Using a stethoscope to listen to their teddy bear’s heartbeat
✔️ Learning how to check vital signs
✔️ Exploring a medical-themed children’s book to reinforce the importance of health and wellness
For seniors Apodaca and Garcia, organizing the Teddy Bear Health Clinic was a rewarding experience that combined education, mentorship, and community service.
“I love this project because we’re not only making these little kids happy, but we’re also teaching them real-world skills that they can use whenever they need them,” Garcia said.
Apodaca echoed that sentiment, adding, “I just like seeing the smiles on their little faces, and hopefully, this will inspire them to get into the medical field and give back to our community.”
MORE PHOTOS: Healthcare Teddy Bear Clinic at Tippin Elementary School
With this year’s event a resounding success, Franklin High School hopes to establish the Teddy Bear Health Clinic as an annual tradition, reinforcing its commitment to hands-on learning and community outreach.
“This was a fun event, and it was exciting to see it actually happening—knowing all the hard work we put in is finally coming to fruition,” Garcia said.
As first graders walked away with their very own teddy bears and newfound knowledge about health and safety, the event underscored the importance of early exposure to STEM careers and the power of student-led initiatives to inspire future generations.
The P-TECH medical program at Franklin allows students to earn an associate’s degree or certifications in EMT, Patient Care Technician, EKG, and Phlebotomy by the time they graduate. To learn more about the P-TECH program, click here.