Project A.S.K. (Adolescents Seeking Knowledge)

Project A.S.K. (Adolescents Seeking Knowledge) provides an innovative approach to address teen health issues in Nashville, by developing the next generation of public health leaders. Seven Metro Public Health Department (MPHD) Youth Advisory Board (YAB) students, ages 14-18, participated in the project. Selected MPHD employees volunteered to teach basic public health skills to YAB members every other Saturday for four months. Each three-hour session consisted of interactive teaching, Q&A including opportunities to ask career-focused questions, and project work time. The YAB used this new knowledge to scientifically identify a primary health concern affecting Nashville youth, research it, and create interventions to address it.

Project A.S.K. seeks to raise youth self-efficacy, improve knowledge of health issues, highlight math and science concepts tested in school, build leadership qualities, and improve the sense of community.

Eight MPHD professionals worked with the students for four months, training them in the various areas of public health research and science. Once the research topic (body image and weight) was identified, other community stakeholders became involved in the process. Local media were invited to partner with the Mayor's Youth Council to help create a pubic service announcement related to body image and weight.