Saint Paul Career Pathways adds new summer programs for high school students
The Saint Paul Career Pathways Academy program expands with two exciting new learning opportunities for area students.
Since last fall, the Saint Paul Career Pathways Academy, a partnership between Saint Paul College and Saint Paul Public Schools (SPPS), has been providing area high school students with some innovative new learning opportunities. The Academy provides educational programs with integrated experiences and support to help students focus on a career path in one of six areas: engineering, manufacturing, and technology; communications and information systems; business, management, and administration; health science technology; agriculture, food, and natural resources; and human services. "The goal is to create programs that spark and build students' interest in these fields — and in going to college" says Peggy Kennedy, the College's vice president for Academic Affairs & Student Development.
Now the program is expanding. One addition for this summer is the Invention, Design, Engineering, and Art (IDEA) Cooperative, which will create learning experiences that focus on engineering, IT, and science. Participating students will study such topics as product design, electronics, and robotics, and also learn about IT and engineering careers and how to get started in them./p>
Another new addition is the 2008 UNDERCONSTRUCTION Program, which provides hands-on construction experience for area high school students. Participants will learn about apprenticeship programs, tour construction sites and labor training facilities, receive in–shop instruction at Saint Paul College, and much more. Overall, the program will teach students what it takes to be an employable worker and expose them to a range of technical, managerial, design, and engineering career options.
Kennedy notes that the program will continue to grow. SPPS and Saint Paul College are continuing work on an expanded plan for 2008–2009 that will include courses in a variety of other realms.
