Students from Grant Union High School in Sacramento will join UC Davis students and professors on campus to learn about neonatal care of abandoned kittens as part of their ongoing training in an animal-based educational outreach program. Then the teens will become the instructors later in the week as they teach third-grade students at two Sacramento elementary schools about wild and domestic animals.

Reporters are welcome to cover the whole package, from the university to the elementary schools, or visit any of the individual sites.

When:

Tuesday, May 8, 4-5 p.m. -- teen and undergraduate interns learning kitten care at UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine

Wednesday, May 9, 9-10:30 a.m. -- teen and undergraduate interns working with third-graders at Fairbanks Elementary School

Thursday, May 10, 9-10:30 a.m. -- teen and undergraduate interns working with third-graders at Del Paso Heights Elementary School

Friday, May 11, 9-10:30 a.m. -- teen and undergraduate interns working with third-graders at both Fairbanks and Del Paso Heights elementary schools.

Where:

UC Davis -- Room 1310 of the Surge III Building, located on the south side of Hutchison Drive.

Fairbanks Elementary School, Sacramento -- third-grade classrooms of teachers Silvia Hanna and Michael Hamilton. Check in at the school office first.

Del Paso Elementary School, Sacramento -- third grade classrooms of teachers Ross Jonas and Azikiewe Ayo. Check in at the school office first.

Visuals:

At UC Davis Tuesday -- Veterinary and high school students will be working in a teaching laboratory with young kittens as they learn from a veterinary professor how to provide care for newborns.

At the Del Paso and Fairbanks Elementary Schools Wednesday through Friday, the interns will teach the third-graders how to find food as animals do using their sense of smell.Ceremonial signing, tour of UC Davis' 100-cow working dairy.

Background: The veterinary and undergraduate students, high-school teens and third-graders have been brought together through an innovative science education program known as "Animal Ambassadors." The program was designed by the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine to interest children in science by teaching them about both wild and domesticated animals. Supported by the UC Davis School/University Partnerships Program, Animal Ambassadors also brings high school students to UC Davis to introduce them to the college environment and to academic opportunities. Directions
and Parking:

UC Davis -- To reach Surge III, take Interstate 80 to Highway 113 and go north toward Woodland. Take the first exit to the right onto Hutchison Drive. Go through the stoplight at La Rue Road. Park in Lot 40 on the right. Surge III is the next building on Hutchison, just past the corner of Bioletti Way. Place a media business card on the dashboard of your vehicle to park free.

Del Paso Heights Elementary School -- 590 Morey Ave., Sacramento -- Take Interstate 80 to the Norwood Avenue exit. Go south on Norwood, then turn left onto Grand Avenue. Turn right onto Taylor Street and then right onto Morey Avenue.

Fairbanks Elementary School -- 227 Fairbanks Ave., Sacramento -- Take Interstate 80 to the Norwood Avenue exit and go south on Norwood. Go past Ford Road and turn right onto Fairbanks Avenue.