Roadrunner Science Fridays celebrates 10 years

Back in October, sophomore students from the Health Science Academy at Mt. Whitney High School in Visalia visited campus for a day geared around CSUB's nursing program, public health program and pre-medical advising. Their teacher, Tim Perrotta, has been bringing students in this program to CSUB for three years.

"We were hooked after the first year because it was just a really great experience," Perrotta said. "Every year when we go, students' comments are, 'Wow, that's really cool. I never knew it existed. This is definitely in my top three now.' One of the reasons that it appeals so much is the family-like atmosphere of the smaller school. They like the vibe of the school."

At this year's visit, Perrotta's students learned about CSUB's public health program from Assistant Professor Dr. Linh Bui, heard from recent nursing graduates about their work in local hospitals and clinics, visited chemistry labs, learned about the physics of waves and their application to the medical field and interacted with a panel of current students about their experience at CSUB.

"I tell the visiting students, 'If you have any questions, now's the time. If you want to talk to an actual college student and ask about college life, the opportunities here on campus, the programs, scholarships, internships - ask!'" " Núñez-Guerrero said.

Most of the Mt. Whitney students know about universities closer to Visalia, like Fresno State, but Perrotta wants them to know CSUB isn't a much farther drive. At about an hour-and-a-half away, CSUB is far enough for his students to feel like they are away from home but still close enough for weekend visits and holidays.

"We need to expose them to what's available at CSU Bakersfield as well because for some of our students, that might be the better choice," Perrotta said. "The first year we went, when we got back to school, I asked the students, 'Now that you've been there, how many of you would consider CSU Bakersfield?' and 75 percent of them raised their hands."

It isn't just the proximity to home that makes CSUB a great option for his students and others in the state. With the energy, health care, aerospace and agriculture industries in Kern County, there are plenty of jobs available to those with STEM and health care degrees.

"There are a lot of employment opportunities in this area," Perrotta said, noting CSUB's connections with industry partners. "If they like going to school here, then maybe they would like working down here and living down here."

Like other educators who bring their students to campus for Roadrunner Science Fridays, CSUB isn't the only university they visit. It's all about showing them that college is within reach for them, even if they are the first in their families to attend. He knows they learn from the demonstrations and like touring the campus, but the best part for the kids is interacting with the students, faculty and staff here.

"It's more about the people, and I think they've felt connected to the students when we're here," Perrotta said. "The effort that CSU Bakersfield makes to welcome us is really appreciated."

Núñez-Guerrero might lead the tours now, but he still remembers his first introduction to CSUB as a kid visiting campus from Buttonwillow. His father would make the long drive so he could participate in a science program, conducting experiments in some of the same buildings he shows students around today.

"I want them to feel the same way I did," said Núñez-Guerrero, a CSUB alumnus himself. "It's just exposing students to a bright future and the opportunities that are here and the sense of family. It's about being able to show students the door to a better place, because some students don't know that door's here."