Charles Baker, who teaches Introduction to Health Science, a course in the Southwest High School Health Careers Program, visits the nurse anesthetist display at Science Expo 2004 with young charges Jennifer Silva (center) and Vanessa de la Cruz.
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Hundreds of high school students from San Antonio to San Benito came to the Health Science Center on Nov. 6 for the 2004 Science Expo. The buses in the parking lot told the story of students from Edison High School, Southwest High School and Odem-Edroy School District, to name just a few.

Elvia Gonzalez, M.D., health science teacher at San Benito High School in the Lower Rio Grande Valley, led her young charges through the lecture hall foyer, where they saw exhibits on careers in podiatry, nurse anesthesia, occupational therapy, clinical laboratory sciences, dental hygiene and much more.

“This is very good for the kids,” Dr. Gonzalez said. “They can see that health is not just about becoming a doctor or a nurse. There are many health careers – they have different choices. They need to know they must work hard at whatever field they enter.”

At the occupational therapy display, Andrea Santos, a student in occupational therapy, demonstrated a developmental seat that shows how a child with cerebral palsy can push a button to activate a toy or other stimulus.

The podiatry exhibit gave students information about foot care and diabetes.

“It’s educating a lot of us who are going into health fields about what it takes,” said Chris Zarate of San Benito High School, who wants to be a pharmacist.

Nico Carrizales (from left), Lynna Agado and Chris Zarate of San Benito High School visit the clinical laboratory sciences table at Science Expo 2004.

“I think it broadens the horizons of students who think they have to become a physician,” said his classmate, Lynna Agado, who is leaning toward pharmacy or obstetrics and gynecology. “By talking to the pros, we get an experience of the field.”

“Five hundred students attended this year’s Expo,” said Irene C. Chapa, Ph.D., coordinator of recruitment and science outreach at the Health Science Center. “Each group was chaperoned by a teacher or parent, but additionally, we had some teachers who came without students to gather information to take back to their home schools.”

Dr. Chapa extends special thanks to the volunteers who helped make Expo 2004 a resounding success. “It is truly a collaborative effort between all the schools,” she said. “Expo is a terrific demonstration of faculty, staff and students working together for a common goal, and of the great willingness of the Health Science Center family to share time and expertise with the community.”