The Mini-Medical School is a public lecture series for adults of all ages and high school students to learn about important topics in medicine and health, and the latest in medical research. Just like in medical school, the audience is exposed to the same mixture of basic and clinical science that a medical student experiences in the classroom. Mini-Medical Schools are offered at over 70 institutions in this country and abroad: more information is available from the Office of Science Education at the National Institutes of Health.

The goals of the program are to respond to the general public’s intense desire for health and medical information, to educate the community about biomedical science and the translation of medical research to clinical treatments, to enhance the pipeline for health care professionals, and to advance the land grant mission of Penn State University to educate the general public to a level of competence for decision-making in an increasingly complex environment. The program attracts high school and college students, teachers in the sciences, adults with lifelong learning goals, staff of the medical center and of the university, and retired individuals who seek to remain current on the medical advances that will enhance their lives.  

Each series consists of 4-6 sessions of lectures given by faculty of the College of Medicine. Participants have the opportunity to ask questions after each lecture. The program is free but registration is required. There are no tests or grades. Participants who attend all six sessions will receive a Certificate of Achievement.The program is also transmitted to the internet via webstreaming: click here to view past presentations from the Mini-Medical School.

The 10th Annual Mini Medical School will be on March 10, 17, 24, 31, April 7, 14, 2009.