In October, a total of more than 130 fifth- and sixth-grade students from the neighboring Language Academy of Sacramento visited Aggie Square for Discovery Day, an event designed to spark curiosity and introduce young learners to the world of healthcare and STEM-
based careers.

Discovery Day, which aligns with the workforce development and youth programming goals of the of the Aggie Square Community Benefits Partnership Agreement, reflects UC Davis’ ongoing commitment to creating pathways for local K–12 students to explore higher education and future career opportunities in science and healthcare. The event was co-hosted by the UC Davis Health Office of Government and Community Relations and Aggie Square.

The morning began with a lively presentation about UC Davis Health and a quiz on healthcare careers that had students competing enthusiastically. Speakers shared insights from their fields—including radiology, nursing, and medical technology—giving students a glimpse into the many ways people contribute to patient care.

Students then rotated through a series of hands-on activity stations led by UC Davis and UC Davis Health faculty and staff:

• Medical Interpreting Services demonstrated the important ways interpreters bridge communication between health providers and patients, even helping students translate a short dialogue from English to Spanish.
• Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation showed how exercises and mobility tools help people regain strength and independence.
• Radiology faculty and staff provided a hands-on experience examining x-rays and trying on protective lead vests.
• At the UC Davis Tech Foundry on the first floor of Aggie Square, students explored additive manufacturing techniques like 3D printing and subtractive techniques like laser cutters, then used modeling clay and frosting to try their hands at designing their own shapes.
• The UC Davis Police Department’s Community Outreach and Engagement (CORE) program offered a memorable experience, letting students explore a police vehicle and meet Princess Leia, one of the unit’s friendly therapy canines.
• Veterinary Genetics taught students how to identify different genetic traits in milk cows, like milk production and illness rates based on cow coat color patterns.
• The Comprehensive Cancer Center’s Community Outreach and Education team taught students about healthy eating habits that can reduce cancer risk.
• UC Davis Health’s Pharmacy team taught students about medication safety.

When asked about their favorite parts of the day, the students’ enthusiasm spoke volumes:

I learned that UC Davis is a great place to learn and study if you wanna be a nurse or anything you wanna be. My favorite thing about today was petting the dog from the police and feeding the dog.”

I learned a lot today. About some of the different doctors. I loved the stations and the guy that gave out the prizes. When I grow up, I want to be a nurse.”

I learned about nurses and about patients and x-rays and my favorite thing was being there and getting to know people.”

By inviting the Language Academy students to Aggie Square at the UC Davis Health campus, the day’s activities helped bridge the gap between classroom learning and real-world opportunities. The experience gave young learners a firsthand look at the healthcare and STEM-based jobs happening just beyond their schoolyard fence, introducing possibilities they might not have otherwise imagined.