More than 600 children and their parents explored the world of medicine and science during Future Docs 2016 at the Wayne State University School of Medicine.

Sponsored by the School of Medicine's Alumni Association, the April 16 event saw children explore the first two floors of Scott Hall and the Kado Clinical Skills Center in the Mazurek Medical Education Commons to engage in hands-on activities at stations explaining various facets of medicine.

The annual event is designed to instill children with an early interest and appreciation for science that may eventually blossom into a desire for a medical career.

Braylon Ball, 10, already knows he wants to become a pediatrician.

"I want to help children because sometimes it's hard for them to say when they hurt," the St. Fabian Catholic School of Detroit student said while having his finger put in a cast by third-year medical student Jordan Brand. "I want to help make them better."

For Brand, 25, who wants to become an orthopedic surgeon, Future Docs offered an opportunity to give something back.

"My medical education is very important to me, and volunteering for this allows me to give something back to the community," he said.

Second-year medical student Liang Liang, 26, echoed a similar sentiment while manning the "Saw Bones Lab."

"I did this last year, and it's fun to work with the kids," said Liang, who plans to go into Family Medicine. "Plus, it's a fun break from studying."

Liang's station was a popular stop for young visitors, who had the opportunity to play orthopedic surgeon. They sawed through bones, placed artificial joints and used state-of-the-art equipment to align holes drilled through bones with metal rods and plates.

Other exhibits included stations on the importance of keeping healthy through proper nutrition and exercise, examining vision and visiting with dogs from Leader Dogs for the Blind, learning the anatomy of the human heart and lungs, and learning how ultrasounds work.

Attendees also received a goodie bag and Future Docs T-shirt, and enjoyed lunch in the Scott Hall cafeteria.