Restriction: Must be student members of Gymkana. Repeatable to 4 credits.

The University of Maryland Gymkana Troupe offers University of Maryland students a unique and incredible opportunity to be a part of an amazing performance team with an important mission. That mission is to serve as ambassadors for the School of Public Health, inspiring healthy choices through their gymnastics and acrobatic performances. Founded in 1946, the Troupe has existed and thrived for decades through its core values of leadership, integrity, family, and effort. Gymkana provides its members a safe space to grow as athletes, showcase their talents, gain invaluable experiences and create unforgettable memories and friendships. The prerequisite for enrollment in this course is the successful completion of two full and consecutive semesters of Gymkana Troupe membership along with concurrent Gymkana Troupe membership. Students that are withdrawn from the Gymkana Troupe before the end of the course term MUST immediately withdraw from the course.

This course serves as a broad introduction to Terrapin Think Tank. Students will learn the basic core competencies we use in health policy research, advocacy, and evaluation. Students will be introduced to policy structures at county- and state-level, key players, and best practices in designing policies and interventions that are sustainable and truly community-centric. Students will also have the opportunity to build out an original initiative, program, or piece of legislation over the course of the semester which will culminate in a final presentation with community and faculty leaders.