Penta Career Center opened its doors to more than 2,000 students from 16 member school districts, which includes Springfield Schools, for the annual Career Expo. This year’s event, held February 27 and 28, featured a variety of career areas for students to explore.
For 45 minutes, eighth graders engaged with Penta students, exploring opportunities in the fields of computers, digital video production, automotive, construction, culinary, small animal care, public safety, medical, manufacturing and business.
In culinary, students sampled food and practiced decorating with icing bags and practice sheets. Construction carpentry offered the opportunity to construct a roof with proper supports and in masonry, eighth graders learned how to build a wall.
Medical technology students used a mannequin to explain parts of the body and students could practice the Heimlich maneuver, applying the technique to adult and infant dummies.
New this year was an anatomage table, which uses technologically advanced 3-D anatomy visualization for anatomy and physiology education.
Cosmetology students gave lessons in nail art and hair design, and animal care displayed dogs, ferrets, bunnies and a tarantula that are cared for in the program. There also were activities relating to 3-D printing, robotics and marketing.
Superintendent Ed Ewers said the annual expo is designed to show students the wide array of career opportunities that are available to them.
The career center enjoys offering the event to member schools as an extension of career awareness and exploration activities.
~Jane Maiolo
