FYC2331: An Ounce of Prevention is a UF Quest 2 course that introduces students to the field of prevention science. As social issues begin to arise, we often try to address them on the back end. Prevention science encourages a proactive approach. Instead of patching up issues as they happen, prevention scientists examine the root causes of social problems early on. Then they work to reduce risks associated with these issues to prevent them from happening.

FYC2331 provides students with an introduction to prevention science methods as they apply to topics such as substance abuse, obesity, sexual risk, and mental health. Students analyze how these issues vary, especially among populations that are more prone to certain issues due to structural and social biases.

Additionally, students gain an understanding of how prevention scientists address social issues alongside communities and policymakers. The course also helps students build skills in community-oriented research and communicating research-based conclusions to the public.

This Spring, Dr. Katie Sims, a recent addition to the FYCS Department’s teaching faculty, teaches the course. As part of her course, she’s implemented an activity in her FYC2331 class that prompts students to think about how to implement prevention strategies within communities in a bridge construction project.

Building Bridges

Dr. Sims’ students started class after Spring Break by teaming up for a group activity— each team’s goal was to build the strongest bridge from the materials provided to them. However, teams couldn’t just build a bridge and submit it. Instead, they had to respond to community issues that arose during the building process. For example, one team faced a budget cut that caused them to lose access to certain building materials. These students had to adapt creatively to this unexpected hurdle to ensure that they could still build a strong bridge.

Sometimes, when issues arise in the planning process for a community project, teams must rely on local policy to support their efforts. Bridge teams had the opportunity to submit mini grant proposals to earn extra building materials for their bridge. This bridge-building lesson requires students to apply the principles of prevention science they learn to real-world scenarios, while integrating real-world conflicts into the process.

This lesson helps students develop skills in creative problem solving and adaptability, which can be applied to any field— not just prevention science. In the end, many teams built strong and safe bridges for their communities. Despite the challenges that each team faced along the way, they worked to adapt to their communities’ needs, aiming to enhance their well-being.

About FYC2331

FYC2331: An Ounce of Prevention is a Quest 2 course at the University of Florida. Students can take the course regardless of their major to discover theories of prevention science and their applications in the real world. You can learn more about FYCS undergraduate courses on our website.

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