A group of Los Gatos and San Jose children, aged 6-12-years-old, had the rare chance to operate a high-end surgical robot last month, sparking curiosity and a whole lot of excitement about science and technology.
During an interactive visit to Intuitive Surgical, the kids stepped up to the same surgical robots used to perform a variety of delicate procedures with precision—down to the millimeter—in real life.
Sitting at the console, children controlled tiny robotic instruments, watched their movements translated in real time on a 3D screen and saw how the robot can reach areas of the body that human hands simply can’t.
Parents and teachers in attendance said the experience brought STEAM learning to life in a way they’d never seen before.
“My son, Cameron, talked about the surgical robot all the way home; he was absolutely amazed,” said Jessica Johnson, a local educator, parent and president of the Los Gatos Education Foundation. “Opportunities like this spark curiosity in such a powerful way. We’re so grateful to Good Samaritan Hospital and Intuitive Surgical for giving our kids an experience they’ll remember forever.”
The children were invited after attending Good Samaritan Hospital’s Puppy Pal Clinic at its “Trunk or Treat” event last month, where a few lucky participants received Willy Wonka-style “Golden Tickets” for the behind-the-scenes tour.
What began as a fun Halloween activity turned into an unforgettable educational adventure. One parent even said their child left announcing a brand-new career goal: becoming a surgeon.
Dr. Kristine Borrison of Good Samaritan Hospital and Kirk Wilenius of Intuitive Surgical helped guide the visit, answering questions and giving each child plenty of time to explore the technology firsthand.
“Seeing their excitement reminded us how inspiring hands-on learning can be,” Dr. Borrison said.
The visit is part of a growing partnership between Good Samaritan Hospital and Intuitive Surgical, aimed at creating meaningful, tech-forward, STEAM-rich opportunities for local families.
Both organizations hope to offer similar experiences in the future.
