Grant gives CTE summer camp for North Santiam students
In December 2017, the Statesman Journal reported on a $336,000 grant awarded to North Santiam School District for its Pathways to Health program and an additional $40,000 for summer CTE boot camps. The district's first CTE summer camp took place June 25-29 and it was a rousing success.
Thirty-five incoming 7th- and 8th-graders from Mari-Linn, Sublimity, and Stayton attended the camp. This is the first portion of the revitalization grant awarded to the school district for the 2017-19 biennium.
CTE Grant coordinator Lynette Witkowski explained: “The goal of this week was to introduce our middle school students to the career and technical courses offered at Stayton High School in a fun and engaging way. If we can bridge the gap between 8th grade and high school and pique the interest of our students now while they’re still figuring out who they are and what they want to do, then their path to graduation is much more certain.”
Each day offered a different CTE focus in business, finance, agricultural science, manufacturing, construction, engineering and biomedical and health Sciences. Highlights of the week involved field trips to Western University of Health Sciences, OSU Wave Generation Lab, Freres Lumber, and OMSI.
During the week, students could practice suturing, use a hand-held ultrasound to view the inside of their own arms, learn about osteopathic medicine, dissect a cow eye, propagate coleus plants, take a walking tour of local businesses and visit with local business owners. Students were able to construct a multi-piece model jeep, build a wooden birdhouse, fly an aerial drone, construct and control Vorpal robots, view the wave action of water, visit the hands-on Robot Revolution exhibit at OMSI and watch the 3-D engineering movie, Dream Big, as well as hear from an OHSU surgical resident on how she uses robots in surgery.
On Friday, approximately 110 Students and family members enjoyed a delicious burrito and taco buffet lunch and homemade ice cream while they viewed a slideshow of their experiences during the week.
Stayton High School Principal Alan Kirby had this to say about the camp: “This was a great opportunity for our middle school students to experience the programs offered by Stayton High, but even more, to begin to think about future career opportunities. The Stayton High CTE team did a great job putting this week together, and we look forward to having the camp again next year.”
Young minds were clearly inspired by what they saw and many students remarked that they would like to pursue a career they were exposed to during the experience. Now with this newfound purpose, they can choose their high school courses with greater purpose and planning to ensure they are on the right path.
Witkowski added, “The summer portion of our revitalization grant supports two summer camps. All costs for food, transportation, and materials were grant supported so everything was free for participants.” A similar week is planned for 2019. The Stayton High School Biomedical and Health Science program (main portion of CTE Revitalization Grant) will commence this coming fall for the 2018-19 school year.
Students who complete the four-year pathway will have completed courses in Principles of Biomedical Science, Human Body Systems, Medical Interventions, Biomedical Innovations and worked one-on-one with a mentor or advisor from a university, medical facility or research institution. Through the process, they will gain a complete understanding of the skills and training required for biomedical and health occupations in the Mid-Willamette Valley.
Lynette Witkowski is the CTE Grant Coordinator for the North Santiam School District and is a Health Sciences Teacher at Stayton High School.