At Northern Vermont AHEC, we believe that early exposure is key to inspiring the next generation of healthcare professionals. That’s why we offer a wide range of interactive classroom presentations designed to ignite curiosity, build foundational skills, and introduce students to the vast world of health careers. Whether it’s practicing CPR on a manikin or debating ethical dilemmas in medicine, our sessions aim to make healthcare real, relevant, and accessible to students across our eight-county region.

Our classroom offerings are designed for middle and high school students and support our mission to educate and inspire individuals to improve the health of Vermont communities. These sessions are free (unless noted), flexible, and customizable for group sizes ranging from 6 to 50 students.

One-Hour Sessions

  • Health Careers Exploration
    A dynamic introduction to the world of healthcare professions. Students explore various career paths, workplace settings, earnings, and required skills through an interactive presentation.
  • Potato Head Medical Teamwork Simulation
    This hands-on favorite uses Mr. Potato Head to demonstrate the importance of communication and collaboration in healthcare teams.
  • Stop the Bleed
    A life-saving skills session where students learn to control life-threatening bleeding, with hands-on practice using simulation manikins. Certification included.
  • Hands-Only CPR
    Students learn the basics of CPR and get hands-on practice with CPR manikins in this non-certification session.
  • Diabetes Activity
    Through props and small group work, students get a better understanding of diabetes and how it affects the body.
  • Splinting Workshop
    An engaging way to learn how to properly splint an injured extremity, including hands-on time with medical materials.
  • Chain of Infection & Norovirus Scenario
    A timely and interactive lesson on how infections spread—and how to stop them.

90-Minute Sessions

  • Mix-and-Match Mini Intensives
    Combine any two one-hour sessions into an engaging 90-minute learning experience.
  • CPR / AED Certification (Heartsaver or BLS)
    Certified through the American Heart Association, this session teaches critical life-saving techniques. ($25 per student for certification)
  • Medical Ethics Discussion
    A thought-provoking case study where students decide who should receive a life-saving organ transplant—and why.

Two-Hour Sessions

  • First Aid Introduction
    A comprehensive training in hands-only CPR, AED use, bleeding control, and response to emergencies like seizures or overdoses.
  • CPR / AED + Stop the Bleed
    A combo session offering certification in both emergency response skills.
  • Vital Signs Clinic & Patient Assessment
    Students get hands-on experience measuring vitals and performing basic patient assessments—a great introduction to clinical thinking.

These classroom presentations are more than just enrichment—they’re the first step in building a stronger, more prepared healthcare workforce for Vermont. By engaging students early and often, we help them envision a future in healthcare and understand the real-world skills that can save lives.

To schedule a session or learn more, contact us at HealthCareers@nvtahec.org