Today, 26 fifth-grade students from the Walnut Street School, an International Baccalaureate school affiliated with the Des Moines Public Schools, presented their health fair projects to the employees at Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Des Moines. The students are studying systems that affect well-being. Some of the topics featured at the health fair included: the nervous system, healthy plate, the heart, food poisoning, lupus, smoking, arthritis, melanoma, tuberculosis, sudden infant death syndrome, diabetes and first aid.

The health fair is an annual event, and is the culmination of a unit on how health systems contribute to wellness. The students spent several weeks researching their topics and developing their presentations. Wellmark Medical Director Dr. William Jagiello provided guidance, and assisted the students with their projects.

Wellmark Chairman and CEO John Forsyth said it’s important to engage young people in conversations about the importance of health and well-being. He said, “I am proud that Wellmark employees assisted these young students by providing feedback and encouragement as they presented their health fair projects. We are committed to our communities, and are glad to have the opportunity to work with the Walnut Street School on this great activity.”

Walnut Street School Instructional Coach Amy Taylor said, “Our students appreciate the opportunity to present their well-being projects to Wellmark subject matter experts. It makes education relevant and fun and we thank Wellmark for giving our students the chance to demonstrate what they’re learning.”

The health fair was held outside Wellmark’s Blues Café during the lunch hour.