Silsbee High School Health Science Students Learn the Importance of PPE with Watermelon Explosion Experiment

September 8, 2023 – The Second Annual PPE Demonstration at Silsbee Health Science, showcased an explosive lesson on the significance of proper Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for Patient Care Technician (PCT) students. In a battle of skills and safety awareness, Team Melon Mutilators emerged victorious.

Two teams, Team Melon Mutilators and Surgical Savages, engaged in a unique competition to highlight the importance of PPE in healthcare settings. Their mission: to make watermelons explode by wrapping rubber bands around them. The team that accomplished this feat first not only earned bragging rights but also earned the "most efficient team" award.

At first glance, the objective may seem simple—wrap rubber bands around a watermelon and wait for it to "pop." However, this exercise was about much more than the explosive finale. It emphasized teamwork, efficient PPE usage, and the critical nature of correctly donning and using protective gear.

Each student team had to collaborate effectively, mirroring a surgical team's roles and responsibilities. The Chief Surgeon was responsible for holding the "watermelon patient" steady, while the Charge Nurse directed the team and ensured seamless operations. The Materials Manager distributed rubber bands, the Scrub Nurse meticulously counted and kept track of them, the Timer recorded the "surgery" duration, and the Surgical Team worked in pairs to apply the rubber bands.

Under the guidance of Mrs. Wiggins in the Health Science class, PCT students have been learning the essentials of personal protective equipment, including when and how to wear it correctly. The explosive watermelon experiment served as a dynamic way to illustrate the effectiveness of PPE in healthcare settings.

For approximately six minutes, Team Melon Mutilators and Surgical Savages went head-to-head, demonstrating their teamwork, precision, and knowledge of PPE. In the end, it was Team Melon Mutilators who claimed victory.

The Second Annual PPE Demonstration was a resounding success in promoting the importance of PPE for healthcare workers and the crucial role it plays in ensuring patient safety. Silsbee Health Science's innovative approach to teaching this critical lesson is not only educational but also engaging, leaving students with a lasting impression of the significance of proper PPE usage in their future careers as healthcare professionals.