Students in the science research program at Hampton Bays High School learned more about careers in the STEM and health care fields as part of Northwell Health’s Spark Challenge, held at Peconic Bay Medical Center in Riverhead on Jan. 13.

The Spark Challenge, which aims to ignite student interest in medicine, gave 12 Hampton Bays students the opportunity to work alongside top medical professionals. Students were paired with top hospital staff members based on their interests. Some met with hospital director Dr. Jean Cacciabaudo and top surgical teams to learn about cardiology, while others met with liaisons in the physical therapy and food and nutrition departments. Still others spent time with the clinical rotation manager, the director of nursing, the blood bank supervisor, the point of care and phlebotomy lab supervisor, the medical staff coordinator, the social work coordinator and the director of patient care.

“There was a focus on each of the students’ passions, interests and future career paths,” said science research teacher Dr. Stephanie Forsberg. 

The visit will be followed by a poster competition and presentation in April, which will include students from neighboring districts that participated in the Spark Challenge.