CELINA, OH (WLIO)- Nearly 100 students from Auglaize and Mercer counties are getting an early look at possible future careers thanks to a new summer program at Tri Star Career Compact.
The school is hosting its first-ever Summer Career Tech Camp for fifth- and sixth-grade students from the nine school districts that are part of the career compact. During the two-day camp, students rotate through eight different programs, including robotics, construction and graphic design, to gain exposure to a variety of career paths.
During the two-day camp, students rotate through eight different programs to gain exposure to a variety of career paths.
“So, by having the kids out here, those parents also know what we have to offer out here too. So, it's kind of a win-win for everybody and hopefully we can really find a good placement for those kids in the future whether it's here or just finding what's right for them,” said Mandy Diller, Tri Star Career Awareness & Adult Ed. Coordinator.
Students participate in hands-on activities at each stop and create projects they can take home.
“In the construction class are making Skittle candy towers, like little Skittle candy machines, animal health, they're making ice cream, pulling in the dairy field there. Engineering, we're using three doodlers to create a 3D either glasses or a little puppet, something like that. Graphics, they're making their own Tri Star T-shirts. Md prep, they're learning about their pulse, using a stethoscope, doing some relay races, and wheelchair,” adds Diller.
Tri Star seniors are also helping lead activities and teach younger students about the programs they study.
“I think it's very nice to see the kids and them enjoying it and it kind of makes me think of whenever I was in their shoes. So, it's kind of just nice to see how they're reacting and how we're here now as seniors,” said Allison Vargas, a Tri Star Med Prep senior.
School officials hope to make the summer camp an annual tradition.
“Just giving them something to look forward to, some hands-on experience, getting them exposed to try seeing what a wonderful place we have here,” said Diller.
