Last semester, twenty Boy Scouts from Annapolis, Maryland, had the opportunity to see firsthand what a major in Biobehavioral Health entails, from hands-on activities to lab tours.

The Department of Biobehavioral Health (BBH) opened its doors last semester for the troop of 11 to 17-year-olds, which has visited numerous Penn State Departments over the years as part of an educational program started by troop leader Ray Ciupek.

“I wanted students to learn what careers can be associated with biobehavioral health as well as the different lines of research the department offers,” Ciupek said. “BBH did a spot-on program.”

During the program, department faculty, staff and students conducted informational sessions and hosted activities on a variety of topics, including: an introduction to BBH and related careers; examples of BBH research; global health opportunities; examples of research; health promotion applications developed by BBH undergraduate students. The visit also included a tour of the Bio-Qualitative Research Laboratory.

“Oftentimes students do not have an opportunity to see a college campus or the diversity of college programs. The more exposure the students have, the better it is for them when it comes to choosing a college or major,” Ciupek said.

Ciupek said he was particularly impressed by the willingness and generosity of the BBH graduate students and the department for sharing their work and experiences.

“They were enthusiastic,” Ciupek said. “That means a lot to the youngsters.”

Troop 422, from the Baltimore Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America, is sponsored by St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Annapolis, Maryland. Ciupek graduated from Penn State in 1971 with majors in Zoology and Education.