Join us for a free, hands-on wellness fair for elementary schoolers (K–5) and their parents, hosted by Story of You’s Full STEAM Ahead program. Every station has been specially designed by one of the medical specialty interest groups from the UVA School of Medicine (cardiology, pulmonology, dermatology, emergency medicine and more), and each one teaches how one part of the body works.
This isn’t a typical healthcare fair. Instead of handing out pamphlets, we invite kids to do something with their own bodies, then answer two questions: “How do I take care of this?” and “What could go wrong if I don’t?” Parents take part right alongside their child.
Every child gets a Health Passport at check-in and earns a stamp at each station. A full passport earns a prize at the finish line, and every family leaves with a healthy habit to practice together. The fair runs from 3:00 to 6:00 PM; location to be confirmed.
How It Works:
Pick up a Health Passport — Every child gets one at check-in, with a page for each station
Visit the stations — Each takes about 8–10 minutes; families move at their own pace
Do, learn, wonder, talk — Try a hands-on activity, learn one big idea, see what happens when the body isn’t working well, then talk it over as a family
Earn your stamps — A station volunteer stamps the passport after the activity and the family talk
Claim your prize — A full passport earns a prize at the finish line, and partial passports still earn a sticker sheet
Body System Stations:
Heart — Find your pulse, get moving, and see why exercise makes your heart stronger
Lungs — Build a balloon lung and learn why clean air and deep breaths matter
Gut — Follow food on its 30-foot journey and build a rainbow plate
Brain & Nerves — Test a helmet with an egg “brain” and try a reaction-time challenge
Bones & Muscles — Wrap a cast, read real x-rays, and take on a balance challenge
Immune System — See hidden germs glow under a blacklight, then wash them away
Kidneys — Filter “blood” like a kidney and find out how much water you need
Skin — Make a UV-bead bracelet and watch sunscreen do its job
Skills for Life Stations:
EMS Simulation — Practice a 911 call and learn your address
First Aid & Caring for a Friend — Treat a teddy bear and practice hands-only CPR
Describing How I Feel — Learn to say where it hurts, how much, and what kind
Dentistry — Brush a giant set of teeth for two minutes and find the spots you miss
More stations may join — Surgery skills, medicine safety, sleep, feelings, eyes and ears, and a vitals check-in, depending on volunteers
Good to Know:
Open to the public — Free for all families, no cost to attend
Parents stay with their child — This is a family event, so there is no drop-off
Allergy-aware — Hands-on materials are nut-free and latex-free
Accessible — Activities can be done seated, and there is a quiet corner for breaks
Spanish support — Bilingual passports and signs, with Spanish-speaking volunteers on hand
Photos — Families who prefer not to be photographed can pick a “no photos” wristband at check-in
Details:
Type: Wellness Fair
Cost: Free
Audience: Elementary school students (K–5) with a parent or guardian
Led by: Story of You’s Full STEAM Ahead program, with UVA School of Medicine student interest groups