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What began as an SIUE School of Pharmacy (SOP) independent study course for four second-year professional (P2) students during the spring semester became something far greater than they expected. The Rxcellence in the Sciences course was designed to give students an opportunity to strengthen their foundational knowledge of pharmacy and disease-state topics while becoming the “expert” on their assigned content. Students Grace Hunt, Katie Pluff, Payton Koester and Peyton Philis then put that knowledge into action by developing and delivering engaging presentations to high school students enrolled in biology, chemistry, anatomy and physiology courses.

Developed in 2019, the Rxcellence in the Sciences program has now reached more than 10,000 high school students through more than 350 interactive presentations/labs.  These presentations are delivered during the final four weeks of each semester. In spring 2026, course coordinators Jessica Kerr, PharmD, and Deja Finley, PharmD, challenged the students to take their final independent study project to the next level.

Kerr had long envisioned creating a day camp where middle school students could explore pharmacy as a profession and discover the many possibilities within the field of pharmacy. She recognized that early exposure to STEM concepts can play an important role in influencing future career choices. Beyond introducing students to science and healthcare concepts, experiences like these can help younger learners see themselves as belonging in STEM communities and recognize that careers they may never have considered are within their reach.

The four P2 students embraced the challenge and created Rxplorers, a pharmacy focused day camp offered in July.  The pilot camp reached capacity within just three weeks of advertising and was capped at 30 middle school students. Campers traveled from communities ranging from Springfield to St. Louis to participate.

Throughout their time at camp, students explored pharmacy through hands-on, game-based learning experiences.  They learned about the drug development process and created their own “drug molecules.”  They explored sterile compounding and the importance of maintaining a secure sterile environment.  They also learned how pharmacists evaluate prescriptions by considering the indication, dosage, drug-drug interactions and other potential medication-safety concerns.  Campers were also introduced to the many career pathways available to pharmacists across healthcare and beyond.

For many campers, the experience provided their first meaningful introduction to the profession.  Campers enthusiastically shared that they had not realized all that pharmacists do.

For the four Rxcellence in the Science students, however, the experience became much more than completing a class requirement.

Pluff of Smithton, Illinois, reflected on how dramatically her perspective changed throughout the project.  “This camp provided me so much personal growth, hard work, service, and selflessness.  When I signed up for this class and started designing this camp, it was just another assignment that would impact my grade.  However, it quickly turned into something not about me anymore; my focus turned to the kids’ futures and to the next generation of pharmacists we could impact.”

Hunt of Metamora, Illinois, described how the experience strengthened skills she will carry into her future pharmacy career. “Working with middle school students challenged me to explain complex health and pharmacy concepts in a way that is engaging and understandable to my audience. This experience motivated me to continue seeking opportunities to educate and empower others throughout my future career as a pharmacist,” she said.

Rxplorers ultimately became an example of what can happen when students are given the opportunity to move beyond learning about a profession and instead use their knowledge to serve others. According to Kerr, the P2 students transformed an elective course into an authentic community outreach experience.

Photos by Howard Ash