Sandia California welcomed students to Kids Day on June 11, with opportunities to learn about career paths, engineering, cybersecurity, nuclear deterrence, science and more.

Nearly 90 Sandians hosted about 150 students for the event. Attendees heard talks, chatted with Sandians in a career expo and engaged in demonstrations and interactive games based on cyber and engineering topics. Participants also had a chance to interact with Sandia’s Protective Force as well as health and wellness staff outside on the Nucleus Event Pad.

“This year’s California Kids Day shifted focus toward career exploration and job shadowing,” Community Relations Specialist Michelle Walker-Wade said. “We want Sandia professionals to not only share their work but also show students how early decisions in middle and high school can lead to careers at national labs. Our goal is to help students understand the clear steps they can take toward these opportunities.”

In line with that aspiration, high school student mentee Ojas Pratap and Quest Science Center Executive Director Michael Mosby shared information about their high school mentorship program, which prepares students for leadership roles in planetary health initiatives.

Nods to Sandia California’s 70th anniversary were incorporated in lunchtime activities during Kids Day. Hosts and guests played 1950s-style games such as checkers, Battleship and more. Attendees spent the afternoon taking self-guided walking tours of the site and going on guided tours of the Discover Center in the Livermore Valley Open Campus.