Science Expo Nov. 2 will give 1,500 teens a hands-on introduction to health careers

HIgh school students dissect a sheep heart at a previous Science Expo.

Media contact: Rosanne Fohn, fohn@uthscsa.edu, (210) 232-5998

Backup media assistance at the event: Olga Coronado, coronadoo@uthscsa.edu, (210) 639-6273

WHAT:           About 1,500 high school and college students from throughout South Texas will learn how to perform dissections using some of the newest, high-tech, virtual human anatomy software. They’ll also learn to assist breathing using intubation on a simulation manikin, start an intravenous (IV) line, immobilize “patients” for transport in an ambulance and much more at the Health Professions Fair and Science Expo at UT Health San Antonio.

The hands-on event is designed to introduce students to the wide variety of health-related and biomedical professions available to them in the STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) careers.

New this year is a Science Jeopardy game, a visit to the Lab Animal Resources area to observe animal research subjects, and the Anatomage tables with 3D printing and virtual reality demos. The Anatomage tables are so new that a School of Health Professions faculty member is studying their effectiveness in student learning compared to the traditional human anatomy lab using human cadavers.

WHEN:           Media are invited from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 2. There will be great visuals of hands-on learning and interviews with visiting students, parents and teachers, as well as with UT Health San Antonio faculty and student volunteers.

WHERE:         Sessions will be held in various locations at the Joe R. and Teresa Lozano Long Campus of UT Health San Antonio, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive.

WHO:             The event is organized through UT Health San Antonio’s Office of Recruitment and Science Outreach, led by Director Irene Chapa, Ph.D. Joining her are medical, dental, nursing, basic science and health professions faculty members and students.

A Spanish-language spokesperson will be available for interviews.

NOTES:          Because pre-registration was necessary, this educational event is full and registration is closed. Buses will be bringing students from as far away as the Rio Grande Valley to this event.

This is the 17th consecutive year that the event has been held.

“Science Expo is a wonderful opportunity for high school and college students to explore or confirm their thoughts on potential career paths in the biomedical science professions. Our goal is to motivate and educate these students and encourage them to pursue STEM careers,” Dr. Chapa said.

“We also hope to empower and equip students with the tools they need to become competitive applicants for professional programs and to succeed once they are accepted,” she added.

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The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, now called UT Health San Antonio®, is one of the country’s leading health sciences universities. With missions of teaching, research, healing and community engagement, its schools of medicine, nursing, dentistry, health professions and graduate biomedical sciences have produced 36,500 alumni who are leading change, advancing their fields and renewing hope for patients and their families throughout South Texas and the world. To learn about the many ways “We make lives better®,” visit www.uthscsa.edu.



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