More than 700 fourth and fifth-grade students from Los Angeles participated in S.T.E.A.M. Field Day at SoFi Stadium, an event designed to provide hands-on experiences in science, technology, engineering, arts, and math (STEAM). The event was a collaboration between Cedars-Sinai, the Los Angeles Rams, and Hollywood Park.
Throughout the day, students engaged in activities such as extracting DNA from strawberries, watching CPR demonstrations and ambulance simulations, and speaking with healthcare professionals from Cedars-Sinai Health Sciences University. The program aimed to introduce young students to careers in healthcare and science.
“Early exposure to STEAM is critical, especially for students who may not always see themselves represented in science or healthcare careers,” said Christina Harris, MD, vice president and chief health equity officer at Cedars-Sinai. “By partnering with the Rams and bringing Cedars-Sinai Health Sciences University into this experience, we are helping students see that careers in medicine, research and innovation are exciting—and attainable.”
Students also toured areas of SoFi Stadium that are typically off-limits to the public. These tours highlighted how STEAM concepts apply to the design and operation of major sports venues.
Elias Rivera, a fourth grader from Normont Elementary School who attended the event, said: “I liked that we actually got to try things ourselves. Math is my favorite subject, and my favorite part today was throwing the football into a small hole on the field.”
Cedars-Sinai Health Sciences University contributed by showing students various career options within healthcare. “What’s powerful about a day like this is that students can see how many different career opportunities exist in healthcare,” said Michael Farkouh, MD, vice dean for Research and Clinical Trials at Cedars-Sinai Health Sciences University. “You don’t have to leave Los Angeles to receive world-class training and education. Right here at Cedars-Sinai and our Health Sciences University, there are pathways in research, artificial intelligence, pharmacy technician, respiratory therapy and so much more.”
The university was established in 2024 with a mission to train future academic scientists, physician leaders, and allied health professionals.
“Our goal is to spark a passion that goes beyond a job—and to show students they can build meaningful careers while staying rooted in their communities,” Farkouh said.
S.T.E.A.M. Field Day forms part of a larger initiative aimed at exposing local youth to career opportunities across sports, entertainment, and healthcare fields. Cedars-Sinai shapes educational content for these programs by highlighting professionals whose work aligns with each STEAM discipline:
– Science: Casey Batten, MD—co-director of Nonoperative Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine at Cedars-Sinai—serves as head team physician for the Los Angeles Rams.
– Technology: Tiffani Bright, PhD—assistant professor of Computational Biomedicine—leads efforts in developing AI tools for clinical decision-making.
– Engineering: Hector Melara—engineer and architect—designs patient-centered spaces at Cedars-Sinai.
– Art: John Lange—curator of the art collection—integrates art into healthcare environments.
– Math: Joycelyn Frederick directs the Pharmacy Technician Program at Cedars-Sinai Health Sciences University.
Cedars-Sinai Medical Center has been serving Los Angeles since its founding in 1902. It operates as both a hospital with pediatric services and a training facility for medical professionals under current president Thomas M. Priselac. In 2022 alone, it admitted over 50,000 patients for treatment (https://www.cedars-sinai.org/about.html).
Cedars-Sinai Health Sciences University continues its commitment to research innovation and education for future leaders in medicine.
