Over the last couple of weeks, students had the opportunity to explore various careers in the skilled trades and science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) in celebration of International Day of the Girl.
On October 11, 40 students from Huntsville Public School and Pine Glen Public School travelled to Science North in Sudbury for the Skills Ontario’s For Girls, By Girls Conference. Throughout the day, students had the opportunity to hear directly from women in the skilled trades, as well as participate in hands-on activities to explore careers connected to STEM.
On October 25, Grade 8 students from the City of Kawartha Lakes participated in the Skilled Trades Day for Young Women initiative in partnership with Skills Ontario and Fleming College. Throughout the day, students rotated through four workshops, where they participated in hands-on learning experiences of the programs currently being offered at the campus, which included blasthole drilling, gardening/honey bees, arborists, and the sawmill. These workshops allowed the students to have the opportunity to explore careers connected to the skilled trades.
“Through this experience I got to see that girls can break stereotypes and work in fields that are usually male dominated,” said Central Senior School Grade 8 student, Baia Segura.
On October 25, students from Bracebridge and Muskoka Lakes Secondary School and Gravenhurst High School (GHS) travelled to Toronto to take part in Dreamer Day. In partnership with Build a Dream, this event spotlights underrepresented groups in skilled trades, STEAM, emergency response, entrepreneurship, and leadership. Participants had the opportunity to visit exhibitor booths and participate in interactive activities.
“One student who attended wasn’t confident a career pathway existed that she could feel passionate about, and by the end of the event she had made positive connections with a lot of amazing companies and training organizations, which led her to develop a true curiosity and interest in careers in the nuclear energy sector,” explained GHS teacher, Jacki McPherson.
