GIVE BLOOD—IT’S NOT ROCKET SCIENCE!
Each pint improves ‘STEM’ education
Seminole Ridge High National Honor Society and SECME students will host a blood drive at school on Tuesday, November 16 from 7:30 AM to 2:30 PM. Our theme is “GIVE BLOOD—IT’S NOT ROCKET SCIENCE.” It’s a fun and unique way to teach people that donating blood is easier than the science, engineering, and math (STEM) that it takes to blast off a water rocket.
For each pint of blood donated, SECME students celebrate with a rocket launch. The water bottle rockets are fired off with 70 PSI compressed air and a pint of water symbolical dyed red with food coloring. It takes the physics of projectile motion, the polynomial equations for parabolic paths, and the practice of precision engineering to successfully launch. To donate blood at Seminole Ridge, all a student needs is to be alive, in good health, be at least 16 years old, weigh at least 110 pounds, have turned in a signed parental consent form, and present a photo ID.
And Florida’s Blood Centers will donate approximately $20 per unit of blood collected to the Scholarship Assistance Foundation to support students with tuition assistance for attending colleges, universities, institutions, and technical centers by furthering their education in STEM subjects!
HOW TO GIVE BLOOD:
The swift and simple donation process includes registration, a health history survey, and a brief medical screening to check blood pressure, pulse, temperature, and iron level checks. This helps assure safe blood for patients, and provides a quick check-up for donors. The entire process takes about 45 minutes, while the actual donation will only take about 10 minutes. Each donor also receives a free cholesterol screening.
The blood donated can be divided into platelets, plasma, and red cells. One pint can be used to help three different people, in surgeries, emergencies, heart bypass, and cancer treatments. All blood types are welcome; however, Florida’s Blood Centers has a particular need of blood types O-negative and AB-negative, and of platelets.
For additional information about donating blood at Seminole Ridge Community High School, contact NHS sponsor Mrs. Shawna Ahmad: ahmadsh[at]palmbeach[dot]k12[dot]fl[dot]us
