CTE and STEAM on display
Summer outreach included visit to the fair
With school back in session, we hope that our efforts over the summer to share information about the exciting programs our partners offer left a mark on students and community members alike.
The Douglas County Fair offered the perfect opportunity to put puzzles, games and other STEAM-related activities into as many hands – both big and small – as possible. At our fair booth in the Exhibit Building, Douglas County Partners for Student Success shared information about the programs we offer as well as the educational materials available to teachers through our Resource Lending Library.
A Douglas County Fair visitor checks out puzzles at the DCPSS booth.
“From little ones to adults, visitors to our booth were intrigued and amused by the exercises and activities we set up to help people think in new ways about STEAM learning,” said DCPSS Director Gwen Soderberg-Chase.
Colorful plastic eggs in cartons and various puzzles were among the activities intended to develop critical thinking, spatial awareness and visualization skills.
Along with STEAM-related activities, students from Phoenix Charter School and Roseburg High School were on hand to inform the community about the various career and technical education opportunities each school offers.
STEAM learning and CTE opportunities are valuable components of our work to help prepare students for their future, whether they choose to continue their education at a college or university after graduating high school or jump right in to one of the many trades operating in our area.
Phoenix Charter School students demonstrate 3D printing and vinyl applications at the Douglas County Fair.
Fair-goers stopped at the Phoenix booth to watch the 3D printing of a mini-tug boat and to make personalized stickers out of vinyl. Students meanwhile chatted up the school’s CTE programs.
RHS students also told fair-goers about their school’s array of CTE subjects, such as business education; marketing; early childhood education; family and consumer science; culinary arts; agriculture and forestry; manufacturing, welding and construction; drafting and engineering; and now automotive.
Along with focusing on incoming freshmen to the high school, the group worked to inform Douglas County senior citizens about what opportunities students have these days.
“A big thing we’re trying to do is educate the public on the programs,” said Joey Vanek, a student teacher with the CTE program. “I think especially the older generation, they think these programs have gone away.”
In fact, these programs are growing as students realize they can find a rewarding and high-wage career right out of high school or after attending a trade school for additional training. Preparing for a successful and rewarding career can take many paths and initiatives across the county are working to help students and their families understand what all the options are.
“I think the biggest thing is that not every student is going to go to college for a four year degree; that’s not the best path for everyone,” Vanek said.
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.