Oxnard High School Students Explore STEM Careers at Driscoll’s

Programs

May 19

Students walking through the blueberries at Driscoll's

Last week, students from Oxnard High School had the opportunity to explore real-world agriculture through a STEM Career Pathways in Agriculture field trip to Driscoll’s. The day was packed with hands-on learning, insightful conversations with professionals, and of course—plenty of berry tasting!

The field trip began with exploring the irrigation systems. Students toured the fields to understand just how essential water management is in agriculture. With the guidance of Driscoll’s irrigation specialists, students explored the daily, weekly, and monthly responsibilities of the role. They even got to step into the shoes of an irrigation technician, calculating water use and testing the system’s efficiency.

For one activity, students gathered around rows of blueberry plants, placing plastic cups at irrigation stakes and turning on the water for two minutes. They then measured the water collected in each cup to analyze whether the plants were receiving equal water pressure and volume—key for healthy, consistent crop growth.

Afterward, it was time to taste the fruits of their learning—literally! Students walked through the blueberry fields and picked from a variety of berry types, savoring the different flavors and learning about the traits that make each one unique.

The day continued at the raspberry flavor test station, where students participated in Driscoll’s consumer research. They voted on their favorite raspberry varieties and learned how flavor, genetics, and even berry breeding come together to create the perfect berry. The visit also introduced students to topics like genetic modification and plant science, showing them how technology plays a critical role in agriculture.

The final stop took students into the blackberry fields, where they learned how Driscoll’s forecasts berry supply and what it’s like to work in product operations. The day wrapped up with a fun quiz and Driscoll’s swag prizes for the students.

A huge thank you to Driscoll’s for hosting such a memorable and educational experience! This trip opened students’ eyes to the many career paths available in agriculture and the exciting innovations shaping the future of our food.