He was one more than 80 senior high school students from a number of different schools who landed at Charles Sturt's Orange campus, the university's Explore Day providing insight into a range of different health-based courses.

Physiotherapy was, of course, one of those, while the students also took part in campus tours, information sessions and workshops focusing on pharmacy, dentistry, medicine, and health and medical science courses as well.

"This [was] my first time on the Orange campus. It's really spacious, bigger than I thought, and has a great set-up," Liam, in year 11 at James Sheahan Catholic High School, said.

"I'm definitely planning on going to university, I want to make sure I give myself the best career choices and I'm interested in physiotherapy, especially sports physiotherapy.

"I'd really like to work with athletes and have an understanding of body systems to help them perform (so) I wanted to get a better idea of what the course is like and exactly what it involves as well as learn a bit more about the (Orange) campus."

Year 10, 11 and 12 students also came from Orange High, Canobolas Rural Technology High, Orange Anglican Grammar, Hennessey Catholic College, Denison College's Kelso campus, Dubbo College Senior Campus, Mackillop College and Mudgee High as well.

With a continued importance placed on practical, hands-on learning, the Explore Day's workshops gave those students a first-hand look at what can be required in those professions.

In Liam's physiotherapy workshop students were introduced to the university's state-of-the-art facilities, and went through a situational role-play making assessments and treatments.

In the pharmacy workshop students assisted in making some low-risk products like herbal mouthwash, lip gloss and hand cream in the pharmacy compounding lab.

They went through a simulated emergency room exercise in the medicine workshop and in the dental exercise, students looked at a collection of primate skulls and X-rays of real cases along with focusing on anatomical features and common problems.

"We had a fantastic turn out to. I think the students got a lot out of it and I hope it inspired some of them to consider pursuing a very rewarding career as a health professional," Dr Sid Parissi, Charles Sturt lecturer in problem-based learning, said.

"Our Orange Explore Day events are a valuable opportunity for local students interested in pursuing a career in health to learn more about the options that are available to them right on their own doorstep.

Interested students can visit the Charles Sturt website to learn more about or register for Explore Day.

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