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- Guide for Interactive Experiences
Career & Technical Education (Carl Perkins)
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Interactive Career Exploration Ideas
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This guide provides ideas for exhibitors and educators to create interactive experiences that connect students with real-world industries. Whether in a classroom or at an event, these activities help students explore career paths in meaningful ways.
Ag, Food & Nat Resources
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Cow-Calf Connection through Ultrasound – View real calf/uterus through ultrasound.
- Meat Processing: Stuff a Sausage – Use real meat processing equipment to create sausage.
- Equipment Assembly: Test Your Speed – Assemble real equipment and get timed.
Drones, Circuits, and Tractor Simulators – Explore technology in agriculture.
Greenhouse to Green Thumb: Plant Your Career Here – Create floral arrangements and plant succulents. - Farm Animals – Engage with live farm animals.
- Plant a Seed for Your Future – Participate in seed planting.
Engineering, Manufacturing & Tech
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Create a Career Expo Souvenir - Work with other businesses within this career pathway to create a souvenir for students to bring home examples: keychain, bookmark, etc.
- Draft your Souvenir - Make, measure and assemble your souvenir (weld, metal cutting, metal press, etc.)
- Electricians Keep the Lights On - Students use real equipment and electricity to turn on a light
- Plumbing H20: Pipes, Valves & Pumps - Students use piping to create and see how they work together
- Plumbing PEX Pipe and Glow Souvenirs - Students use piping to create a glow souvenir
- Build a Wooden Truss - Students use real wood and real tools to create a mini truss
- Hit the Virtual Road: CDL Trucking Simulator
- Remote-Control Trucks Rule the Sandbox - Remote control equipment to show students how they work
- Build a Bridge & Test Highway Materials
- Road Safety: From Plow to Seat Belt Convincer - Snow plow safety, seat belt convincer
- Real equipment, real building products, real building for students! (even on a small scale!!)
Arts, Comms & Info Systems
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Art Rocks - Students can paint rocks
- AI Bot Challenge - Practice AI with programming puzzles
- Photography - Have a camera set up for students to use
- Take headshots of students - Have students take action photos and use editing equipment on computers
- Drone Video Fun - Showing students drones, how they fly, and how they make videos
- Graphic Design Fundamentals: Sticker Edition - Create and print stickers or other fun activities for students to do on computers
Business, Mgmt & Admin
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Market Maker: Craft a Website that Sells - Show students website design technology. Students can work on building a mock website.
- Build a Boutique Display Home Sweet Sold: See Life as a Real Estate Agent - Students explore real listings, steps taken when listing. Students experience photo taking, online listings.
- Typing Speed Showdown: Test Your Fingers! - Students use typing programs to test their speed.
Health Science Tech
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Dementia & Aging Disabilities Simulations - A hands-on experience that uses sensory tools to help participants understand the physical and mental challenges of dementia. Participants wear special devices to alter their senses and complete exercises and everyday tasks.
- HELP! Wounded Triage and Dressings - Using simulation devices to allow students to experience wound dressing and triage. SWWC has a health science library where you can check out equipment.
- Patient Ultrasound Experience - Use real ultrasound equipment.
- Physical Therapy Challenge: Test Your Balance & Skills - Students participate in real physical therapy activities.
- It’s a Baby! Explore a Simulated Delivery - Use simulators used in real trainings
- What’s Your Blood Type? - Blood type checks
- Massage Therapy
- Ambulance Simulator: Airways Save Lives - Ambulance at location. Show students loading and unloading patients.
Human Services
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Psychology Behind Dog Therapy - Have therapy dog present and show what therapy dogs can do.
- Have a Heart for People? Consider Ministry - Trivia games, ministry staff on hand
- Empathy Exercises
- Education - building learning plans
- Cosmetology: Hair & Skin Tools & Tips - Students get to use mannequin heads and real tools to style hair. Mannequin to do real nails. Hands on experience.
- Funeral Directors - Have hearse on site and allow students to load and unload the hearse.
- Childhood Education: Big Hearts for Little People - Pre-k students on site with activities for students to complete with students.
- Mobility Transporting: Help Others Get Around - Mobility transport vehicle on site with wheelchair etc. to have students experience this career.
- Order in the Court - Meet a real life judge and their legal team.
- Finger Prints Tell a Story: Get Yours - Law Enforcement complete finger print cards with students.
- Community Policing: Is It for YOU? - Law Enforcement on hand, with car, equipment, etc.
- DUI Go Cart Course: Goggles to Open Your Eyes!
- Explore Emergency Services: K9, Rescue, SWAT - Have SWAT vehicle on hand for students to explore. K9 dog on hand. Rescue vehicles on hand.
- Firefighters to the Rescue! - Truck at event. Students can try on equipment, have races to see who can get it on the quickest etc.