Jaguar's Jungle doings

It's been busy over at Apricot Valley Elementary School. The afterschool program, named Jaguar's Jungle, had a Career Day in March.

Among the presenters were Patterson District Ambulance Co. paramedics Craig Scott and Brandon Lima. The two paramedics described what children should do when an ambulance is on the road.

Get out of the way, get off the street and pull over to the right, students learned.

Students also learned when they call emergency number 9-1-1 they should give their name, address of where the emergency is and information about what is happening.

Otis Walton, a physicist from Lawrence Livermore Lab, told the children about static electricity and work he is doing for NASA. Kids used balloons and rubbed them in their hair to make static electricity. Walton also explained Project Dust, where he and a group of scientists went to Colorado for a weekend and studied and tested robotic vehicles speeding over the sand.

Other presenters included a pharmasict, veterinary tech, school nurse, nail technician and waitress.

Career Day is popular and an annual event at the afterschool program.

"We do this every year, " said Lauren Soto-Figueroa, coordinator. "We want to show the kids different ooportunities they can pursue with or without college."

Maggie, age 8 and a third grader said it was interesting. "I want to be a vet because I like animals."

Joey, age 9 and in fourth grade, said. "It's fun. I've never done this before."