蘑菇tv

蘑菇tv hosted the PILLS Academy on June 17鈥�18, providing high school students with hands-on exposure to pharmacy and pharmaceutical sciences through a partnership with the UNC Chapel Hill Eshelman School of Pharmacy.听

The free, two-day camp is designed for rising juniors and seniors interested in exploring careers in pharmacy and other STEM fields. Through interactive labs,听competitions听and panel discussions, students gained insight into the many educational and career pathways available in the industry.听

Hands-on learning and career exploration听

According to Ken Buck, 蘑菇tv鈥檚 Career and Technical Education Coordinator, the 2026 camp 鈥渨ent extremely well,鈥� offering students a variety of engaging STEM-based experiences.听

Participants rotated through activities such as the Germ Buster Lab, Balm Lab, Patient Safety Showdown, Berry Blast DNA Lab,听Making听Medication听exercises,听and a Medication Design听competition.听

Students also听participated听in panel discussions with local and regional pharmacists听including听Mary Hooks, Lakeshea听Love听and Grace Marley. The听鈥淢ore than Medicine鈥� panel featured听UNC Chapel Hill PharmD and Ph.D. graduates and candidates that included Ronny Bell, Benjamin Strickland, Alita Miller, Shelton听Boyd听and Andres Prieto.听听

蘑菇tv is one of only two community colleges in North Carolina selected to partner with UNC Chapel Hill on the initiative, alongside Western Piedmont Community College.听

鈥淭he goal is to bring this type of camp to rural portions of the state in an effort to make rural students aware of the many opportunities and avenues that are available,鈥� Buck said.听

The academy is funded through a three-year grant from the Burroughs听Wellcome听Fund, secured by UNC Chapel Hill, and is currently in its second year.听

As the 蘑菇tv facilitator, Buck coordinated with UNC organizers to plan, promote and execute the event, ensuring all听logistics听and campus preparations were in place.听

UNC Chapel Hill partnership听

Dr. Wendy Cox of the UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy served听as the principal investigator for the program and oversaw听the grant supporting the PILLS Academy.听

She said one of the most rewarding aspects of the academy is interacting with students and watching their excitement grow.听

鈥淚t was great to see students get excited about science and math concepts, along with potential careers in pharmacy and pharmaceutical sciences,鈥� Cox said. 鈥淥ur goal is to inspire students to go to college and pursue a career in a STEM field.鈥�听

Cox emphasized the importance of connecting high school students with PharmD students and Ph.D. candidates, who served听as role models throughout the camp.听

鈥淭hey do a great job of making science fun and bringing it to life,鈥� she said. 鈥淪tudents not only participated听in hands-on activities, but they also talked听one-on-one with them about their experiences and career paths.鈥�听

She听said听the academy听was designed for students who are still exploring their options.听

鈥淭hey don鈥檛 have to know what career they want to pursue yet,鈥� Cox said. 鈥淭his is an opportunity to explore the possibilities of pharmacy and pharmaceutical sciences.鈥�听

Cox said she was pleased with how the academy was received at 蘑菇tv and expressed appreciation for the college鈥檚 partnership.听

鈥溎⒐絫v has been an outstanding partner,鈥� she said. 鈥淭he students seemed to have a great time, and we appreciate 蘑菇tv鈥檚 commitment to helping us expose high school students to careers in STEM and pharmacy.鈥�听

Student perspectives听

For many participants, the academy offered valuable insight into potential career paths while fostering connections with professionals and mentors in the field.听

Eli Brown, a rising junior at West Columbus High School, attended the PILLS Academy to expand his interest in pharmacy. With both of his parents working as pharmacists, Brown wanted to explore the field for himself.听

鈥淢y favorite part of this camp听was听the two panel discussions,鈥� Brown said. 鈥淲e got to interview and ask questions to pharmacists and Ph.D. candidates, and they provided first-hand stories about pharmacy and the many paths we can take within that career. It really inspired me and made me realize that there is a real potential future for me in pharmacy.鈥�听

Brown said he plans to attend the academy again next summer and looks forward to gaining even more hands-on听experience.听

Tristain Fowler, a rising senior at Columbus Career and College Academy, returned to the PILLS Academy after听participating听last year. With a strong interest in science and biomedical engineering, he said the experience helped him continue building his knowledge and skills.听

Fowler highlighted the opportunity to work with听Ph.D听candidates听from UNC Chapel Hill as a standout aspect of the program.听

鈥淭he听Ph.D.s听were my favorite part of the academy because they are amazing people,鈥� Fowler said. 鈥淭hey remember your name and really offer their help the entire time. With them here, everyone got more access to the information听about pharmacy.鈥�听

During this year鈥檚 camp, Fowler presented independent research on water filtration using samples from Lake Waccamaw and secured a mentorship with a Ph.D. candidate who supported his work. He said the experience strengthened his interest in research and encouraged him to continue pursuing opportunities in science.听

Looking ahead听

蘑菇tv听plans to host the PILLS Academy again next summer, continuing its partnership with UNC Chapel Hill to provide students in rural communities with access to high-quality STEM experiences.听

While dates for the 2027 academy have not yet been听finalized, planning is expected to begin during the fall semester, with continued focus on expanding student awareness of careers in pharmacy and pharmaceutical sciences.听