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College and Career Week at Ventureland

Students in grades K-5 dream about their futures while exploring what they want to be when they grow up

During the first week of April, elementary school students in grades K-5 at Ventureland explored what they want to be when they grow up, learned about college, and more importantly, had the opportunity to dream about their futures.

College- and career-focused lesson plans throughout the week were enhanced with curriculum, books, guest speakers, and activities, such as a career technical education tour and career fair.

At the career fair, students learned how to provide CPR to the beat of the hit song “Baby Shark,” sat in a California Highway Patrol car, tried on a welder’s helmet and gloves, learned movie production techniques using a clapperboard and video camera, taste-tested cookies baked by Venture Academy culinary students, and more, thanks to: the California Highway Patrol, San Joaquin County Emergency Medical Response Services, Child Abuse Prevention Council of San Joaquin County, U.S. Army, San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office, Starbucks, University of the Pacific, and Venture Academy Family of Schools teachers and high school students (culinary, agriculture, woodworking, welding, nursing, and engineering).

Presenters engaged students in the process with mini-lessons and sparked interest by asking questions. “Who wants to help people when they get older?” asked an officer, to Mrs. Phelp’s second-grade class, as their little hands raised to the sky.  

When asked after the fair, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” it seems that many of the students do want a career helping others as a teacher, paramedic, police officer, or veterinarian, but for more reasons than solely helping others.  “I want to be a teacher because I like having fun and learning new things,” said Mia. 

Ventureland is one academy at Venture Academy Family of Schools (VAFS).  The fair, and other hands-on activities throughout the week were coordinated by VAFS counselors in order to inspire students and to get them thinking about their future at an early age.  To learn more about VAFS and their academies, visit http://www.ventureacademyca.org.

Posted: 4/4/2019