Today we’d like to introduce you to Luke Wegenka
Hi Luke, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
Let’s P.L.A.Y. was founded in 2022 as a response to the growing need for healthy, active lifestyles in the youth of our community. In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, disparities in health education were at a crucial tipping point. We recognized the need for intervention in our youth to form a base of healthy habits at a young age that they can carry with them throughout their lives. As medical students, we were uniquely positioned to mentor and model healthy, active lifestyles to youth in a fun and interactive way. Let’s P.L.A.Y. was thus founded in Saint Louis to bring medical students to the underserved communities around them. With the success of our initial chapter in the Peabody neighborhood of Saint Louis, we recognized an opportunity to spread our mission to other cities nationwide. Since then, Let’s P.L.A.Y. has established chapters at 6 additional medical schools and continues to expand.
Can you talk to us about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
As a youth development program, Let’s P.L.A.Y. has experienced struggles in creating an effective curriculum that engages young minds. When we first started, we attempted to reach students through more traditional classroom lessons but struggled to retain the students’ attention. We realized that students were tired after a long day at school and that we could have a more substantial impact by emphasizing our point through active learning and games. We’ve now conducted an expansive literature review and consulted with education professionals to overhaul our curriculum and create lesson plans that emphasize active, fun learning.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Let’s P.L.A.Y. hosts sessions at under-resourced elementary schools following our thoughtfully structured, evidence-based curriculum. Each lesson plan in our curriculum follows the Madeline-Hunter teaching method, connecting a short discussion and a guaranteed 45 minutes of physical activity designed to reinforce the day’s lesson. Lesson themes range from essential life skills like active listening and leadership to practical lessons on maintaining a balanced diet and embracing participation in sports. Our evidence-based curriculum is the foundation of Let’s P.L.A.Y. and our greatest accomplishment. We are always looking for ways to expand our curriculum to include new topics and activities, all of which are led by medical students. Leveraging the unique position of medical students, Let’s P.L.A.Y. instills healthy behaviors and cultivates a meaningful connection between the future physicians of America and the communities they serve.
Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
A few Let’s P.L.A.Y. chapters have partnered with the NCAA athletics department at their universities to bring college athletes to their sessions! This has brought excitement and energy to many sessions and hopefully inspired young kids to participate in sports.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.letsplayhealth.org/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lets.play.health/
