Join Us for the Spring 2026 Exploration Experience

UPenn Veterinary Science Exploration Experience

Date: April 2026 | 9 AM – 2 PM

Location: Dairy Farm and Veterinary Clinic in Lancaster County

Partnering with the University of Pennsylvania Veterinary team, students will learn about the dairy industry and the field of veterinary science. During this event, high school students in grades 11 and 12 will get a firsthand look at a dairy farm in Lancaster County and complete hands-on, herd health activities and interactive labs using veterinary science. In addition, they will tour a veterinary clinic in Lancaster County and its veterinary facilities. Participants will interact with UPenn professors, veterinarians, staff, and veterinary residents to learn about the skills and responsibilities of being an animal doctor and other careers in the veterinary science field.

Cost: FREE (Must provide own transportation)

Registration Deadline: Application form will close when the capacity is reached.

Note: Space will be limited to 24 students on a first-come, first-serve basis. Students/groups must have a chaperone/advisor travel with them. Email Michelle Shearer if you have any questions.   

Fall 2025 Exploration Experience

UPenn Veterinary Science Exploration Experience

Date: Thursday, November 20, 2025 | 9 AM – 2 PM

Location: Dry Creek Dairy Farm and Dairyside Veterinary Services, Blair County

Partnering with the University of Pennsylvania Veterinary team, students will learn about the dairy industry and the field of veterinary science. During this event, high school students in grades 11 and 12 will get a firsthand look at a dairy farm in Blair County and complete hands-on, herd health activities and interactive labs using veterinary science. In addition, they will work with the staff of the Dairyside Veterinary Services with some interactive lab activities. Participants will engage with UPenn professors, veterinarians, staff, and veterinary residents to learn about the skills and responsibilities of being an animal doctor and other careers in the veterinary science field.

Cost: FREE (Must provide own transportation)

Registration Deadline: Application form is closed since the capacity has been reached.

Note: Space was limited to 24 students on a first-come, first-serve basis. Email Michelle Shearer if you have any questions.   

PREVIOUS EXPLORATION EXPERIENCES

2025 UPenn Veterinary Science Exploration Experience

Partnering with the University of Pennsylvania Veterinary Team, students completed hands-on activities involving milk safety and testing, dairy cattle nutrition, colostrum quality, and herd health.

During this event, high school students in grades 11 and 12 got a firsthand look at Darkhorse Dairy Farm in Perkasie through a tour and activities involving colostrum quality, feed identification, TMR testing, and milk quality as well as cow health where they listened to the heart, rumen, and lungs of dairy cows. Students then went to Quakertown Veterinary Clinic for a hospital tour, exploration of various careers in veterinary science, and milk culturing activity.

.Thursday, April 3, 2025 at Darkhorse Dairy and Quakertown Veterinary Clinic, Perkasie and Quakertown, Bucks County, PA

2024 UPenn Veterinary Science Exploration Experience

Partnering with the University of Pennsylvania Veterinary Team, students learned about proper health and nutrition for dairy cattle as well as completed some hands-on activities exploring herd health.

During this event, high school students in grades 11 and 12 got a firsthand look at Marshak Dairy and learned from professionals who specialize in specific areas of veterinary science. They learned about colostrum quality, nutrition research, TMR testing, and cow health being able to listen to the heart, rumen, and lungs of dairy cows. Students then went to the New Bolton Center for a tour and opportunity to hear about .

.Thursday, November 21, 2024 at Marshak Dairy and New Bolton Center, Kennett Square, Chester County, PA

2023 Dairy Challenge Exploration Experience

Partnering with Delaware Valley University, students learned about the dairy industry and the business aspect of dairy farming through their experience at Delaware Valley University. They also got a preview of the collegiate activity of Dairy Challenge.

During this event, high school students in grades 11 and 12 got a firsthand look at the Delaware Valley University’s Dairy Farm and their dairy operation from the calves to the cows. DelVal U professors, staff, and students presented the calf care, nutrition, milk production, milking parlor, herd health, and reproduction practices on the farm and shared data. Students used this information to investigate profitability and efficiency of the dairy farm and worked in teams to present their recommendations to DelVal U stakeholders.

.Friday, November 10, 2023 at Delaware Valley University, Doylestown, Bucks County, PA

2023 Dairy Technologies Exploration Experience

Partnering with Fisher & Thompson and Lely, students were able to learn about various technologies and advances in the dairy industry.

During this event, high school students in grades 11 and 12 got a firsthand look at the automation on Oakleigh Farms in Mercersburg and learn from professionals who specialize automation and robotics in milk, feed, manure, and barn management. They learned about robotic milking, automated Vector feeding and TMR, automated manure collectors, and automated barn systems. In addition, careers in dairy production, extension, sales, and service were presented by the dairy professionals facilitating rotations and activities.

Thursday, April 28, 2023 at Oakleigh Dairy Farm in Mercersburg, Franklin County, PA

2022 Veterinary Science Exploration Experience

Partnering with Pennsylvania State University and the Penn State Extension Services, students were able to learn about proper health for dairy cattle as well as do some lab experimentation.

During this event, high school students in grades 11 and 12 got a firsthand look at the Penn State Dairy Barns and learned from professionals who specialize in specific areas of veterinary science. They learned about hoof health, calving management, and cow health being able to listen to the heart, rumen, and lungs of dairy cows and to simulate delivering calves. Students then went to the Central Milk Testing Lab completing a heart dissection and a lab exploring parasites in animals.

Thursday, October 13, 2022 at Pennsylvania State University Dairy Barns and Central Milk Testing Laboratory in State College, Centre County, PA

2022 “Foam to Farm” Exploration Experience

Partnering with Troegs Independent Brewing, students were able to see the process of producing spent grain and how it is sustainably used on dairy farms.

During this event, high school students had a firsthand look at Summit Level Farm and their dairy operation from the calves to the cows. In addition, they learned about the crop production on the farm and how Farmer Jim uses spent grain from Troegs Independent Brewing to feed his dairy cattle. Students then visited Troegs Independent Brewing for an in-depth, behind-the-scenes tour of the mill room to see the hops grain and the process of production.

Wednesday, April 13, 2022 at Summit Level Farm in Elverson, Berks County, PA and Troegs Independent Brewing in Hershey, Dauphin County, PA

2021 “Own It” Exploration Experience

Partnering with Premier Select Sires, students learned about the four divisions of do-ers, analyze-ers, techies and sell-ers from industry professionals. Each presentation had a hands-on activity for students to engage in that type of career. Then in the afternoon, students toured Brubaker Farms and learned from the herd manager about his responsibilities around the dairy farm.

Thursday, October 14, 2021 at Brubaker Farms in Mount Joy, Lancaster County, PA