CONCORD — On April 27, Cabarrus College of Health Sciences hosted Northwest Cabarrus High School’s academy of health sciences and biotechnology for a day of hands-on learning and career exploration.

Thirty-three students participated in a health sciences scavenger hunt. The students were given a patient and symptoms and then had to decide where the patient needed to go next, based on clues from the simulated office visits with different health-care providers. This exercise gave students hands-on experience from a number of disciplines, including surgical technology, pharmacy technology, medical assistant, occupational therapy and nursing.

After the scavenger hunt concluded, Zinat Hassanpour, program chair of the associate in science program at Cabarrus College, spoke with the students about the importance of interdisciplinary studies in health care.

The academy is a four-year career academy affiliated with the National Academy Foundation. Academy curricula introduces students to health and biotech career possibilities though a series of career exploration courses. All courses use project-based learning techniques with an emphasis on strengthening literacy, project management, leadership and team-building skills while fostering creativity and innovation.

Cabarrus College has a close relationship with Northwest Cabarrus’s academy chapter, having two representatives on the Academy’s advisory board: Dr. Meg Patchett, provost and Zinat Hassenpour, program chair, associate in science.

Cabarrus College, a member of the North Carolina Independent Colleges & Universities organization, focuses on health sciences education and offers master, bachelor, and associate degrees as well as diplomas, certificates, and continuing education on a non-residential campus in Concord. Cabarrus College is located on the campus of Carolinas HealthCare System NorthEast.

For more information on Cabarrus College, go to www.cabarruscollege.edu. Applications are now being accepted for fall 2016 admission.