PacificQuest Programs Bring Joy & Inspiration to Middle and High School Students

From a biology lab and media room to flying in the sky, Pacific Union College hosted its annual PacificQuest Programs, PQSeek, PQRise, PQSoar, and new this year, PQFlix, for students in grades 6-12 interested in STEM, aviation, and filmmaking. Students travelled from Hawaii and different parts of California to attend a week-long program to explore their interests and participate in challenging hands-on learning and team-building exercises. Not only did they get a glimpse into potential future careers, but also earned one unit of college credit from PUC.

PQSeek and PQRise began their programs, focusing on STEM topics, with 22 students working with several professors from the School of Sciences. PUC Associate of Kinesiology and Health Sciences Professor Wayne Borin taught the interaction of the cardiovascular, respiratory, neurological, and nutritional energy systems. In contrast, Biology Professor Bryan Ness taught the students about planetary health, and Chemistry Professor Robert Wilson taught them about thermochemistry.

From July 6-11, PUC Flight Center Director Nathan Tasker and his team worked with seven students, with two students completing the private ground school. Students learned about aerodynamics and visited Mike’s Aero, an aircraft maintenance facility at Angwin Airport, and the Napa Control Center, where they met with air traffic controllers and learned about aviation safety. The activity that the students enjoyed the most was flying to Nut Tree Airport in Vacaville to visit the Rowland Freedom Center, a historical aircraft museum, and the flight lessons they had each morning.

“We tried to make this year’s experience very hands-on and realistic, so that they experienced many different aspects of aviation,” said Tasker. ”We wanted them to see that aviation is more than just having fun and flying planes. It can be used to make a difference in the lives of people.”

One parent shared that PQSoar exceeded her expectations. “All the hands-on learning just blew us away,” she expressed. “I didn’t realize my son would get to fly! My son not only came home happy, but also came home motivated to get his pilot’s license! The week he spent at PQSoar may have changed the course of his future and what he may want to do when he goes to college.”

PUC was pleased to introduce PQFlix this year to students interested in filmmaking. Four students from Arrowhead Christian Academy, Mountain View Academy, Rio Lindo Adventist Academy, and PUC Preparatory explored directing, cinematography, editing, screenwriting, and acting. They worked together to write, shoot, and edit three short films throughout the week, learning how to collaborate, think creatively, and display their ideas on screen.

“It was a fun, fast-paced experience that gave them a real sense of what it’s like to be part of a film crew,” said Melissa Pratt, PUC assistant art professor. “We wanted to emphasize creativity and to get them immersed in filmmaking right away. They conceived of, wrote, and shot two of the films all in the first day, which is not a small feat! Since filmmaking is collaborative, we wanted them to experience the fun of the filmmaking process and how having more voices and members on the team can really enhance their final film and be a very enjoyable part of the process.”

The students relished being on a set the most while making their final film, CLUE-LESS, a detective comedy. During this process, they enthusiastically stepped into their respective roles, making it delightful for Pratt and her teaching assistant to see them bring so much energy and dedication into their work.

At the end of PQFlix, the academy students showcased their film for their families and other PQ attendees. Before the movie started, one student shared how much fun she had being a part of the group and working together. As the film played, hearing the audience laugh and their positive comments was a rewarding experience for the students and the visual arts team.

Incoming first-year and transfer students to PUC's visual arts department are offered a $4,000 scholarship, which is renewable for up to four years for a total of $16,000. “In our film program, we prioritize creating a supportive space that encourages individual expression and emphasizes hands-on learning,” said Pratt. “We hope that our PQFlix students got a small taste of what it’s like to be part of that and a student here.”

“We want them to enjoy learning and being challenged,” said Aimee Wyrick, PUC's dean of the school of sciences. “We want them to connect with other like-minded students and with the PUC faculty and other staff–we help them to build a community beyond their hometown and home campus.”

PacificQuest 2026 will be June 28-July 3. For program information and more details, please visit puc.edu/life-at-puc/high-school-programs/pacificquest