Fresno Pacific University’s Degree Completion Program is helping working adults return to college and pursue their career goals through flexible online and evening classes. In this Education Matters story, hear how former professional gamer Rigoberto Padilla and mother of two Cecilia Cruz are balancing family, work, and higher education while building brighter futures in healthcare and special education.

High school students from across California’s Central Valley are taking STEM education to new heights through the “Skies of Dreams” aviation program at Sierra Sky Park in Fresno. In this hands-on aircraft build program, students are learning engineering, aviation, and teamwork by constructing an experimental airplane alongside experienced pilots and mentors from the Experimental Aircraft Association.

More than 2,000 students from across Fresno County came together for a special day of inclusion, learning, and fun at Kids Day at the Zoo, hosted by the Fresno County Superintendent of Schools at the Fresno Chaffee Zoo. This unique event, themed “Sensory Safari,” created a safe, judgment-free environment for students with moderate to severe disabilities to explore hands-on STEM activities, sensory play stations, and interactive exhibits designed to engage all five senses.