Video: Homeschoolers Learn About Dangers of Smoking At Healthworks!

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TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) — Every two weeks, this homeschoolgroup takes a field trip to Healthworks!For this outing, they will learn all about the lungs.

“Function of our lungs, the importance of keeping our lungs super healthy,” said Kim Burleson, one of the “High Flying Kid Motivators” also known as educators,at Healthworks.To keep the students attention, she used two pig lungs.The pink lung represents a non smoker. Burleson even pumped air into the healthy lung, showing how it works.

Then, using a pig lung treated with chemicals, representing a smoker’s lung, the students were able to see, up close, how the lung’s function was compromised.
Tobacco use remains the single largest cause of preventable disease and premature death in the United States. Still, about 42 million Americans smoke cigarettes, but these homeschool students say the demonstration has taught them a potentially life saving lesson.

“You shouldn’t even try it,” said Fifth Grader Katie Smith.

“You should not do it, it’s very very bad for you and you could have heart attacks and stuff,” said Fifth Grader Oliver Campeau.

The home schoolers also walked through a large, inflatable “Mega Lung” giving them a clear view of how the lungs work and the importance of starting and maintaining healthy habits at a young age.

The “Great American Smokeout” is this Thursday.The home school group has a different activity and theme each time they visit Healthworks!