MONACA — More than 500 eighth-grade students from 14 area schools were able to learn about future career options Wednesday, as the Beaver County Chamber of Commerce’s Energy and Advanced Manufacturing Partnership (E&) hosted a Pathways event at the Community College of Beaver County. E& is a collaboration among BVIU and several other educators and non-profits to highlight emerging energy and advanced manufacturing careers.
Local companies including Shell Polymers and Range Resources shared information and activities to illuminate what Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) careers are available to rising students. More than 15 stations were available to students during two separate-but-identical sessions, ranging from a drilling presentation with the Eastern Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters to a fire extinguishing simulation with Fire Fighters Sales and Service Company. Additionally, CCBC and the Heritage Valley Health System’s School of Nursing also delivered presentations. Other event sponsors included Mitsubishi Electric and Penn State Beaver. Event partners included the Beaver County Career and Technical Center, Catalyst Connection, Hopewell Area School District, Jon Training for Beaver County, and Junior Achievement.
Participating school districts were: Ambridge Area, Beaver Area, Beaver County Christian School, Big Beaver Falls Area, Central Valley, Freedom Area, Hopewell Area, Midland Borough, New Brighton Area, Riverside Beaver County, Rochester Area, South Side Area, Saints Peter & Paul School, and Western Beaver County.
The eighth graders also were able to tour the CCBC campus, ask questions and chat with the various industry professionals in attendance, and they also left with an “artifact” that coincides with the Pennsylvania Department of Education’s mandated 339 plan.
While visiting the stations, students completed worksheets to guide their engagements with the exhibits. At the end of each session, a panel discussion gave various industry and education partners the chance to share guidance and stories with those in attendance.
On the panel were: Jamie LAvette (EAS Regional Council of Carpenters), Sami Polizitto (CCBC), Nate McAffee (VEKA), Emma McDonald (Range Resources) and Michael Stankavage (Shell Polymers). Following the discussion, students were able to ask the panelists questions about their careers.
Beaver County Chamber of Commerce marketing director Johanna Semonik said of the event, “The Beaver County Chamber of Commerce is proud to partner with the Beaver Valley Intermediate Unit, CCBC, Catalyst Connection, the Beaver County Career & Technology Center, Hopewell Area School District, Job Training for Beaver County, and Junior Achievement — along with event sponsors Range Resources, Shell Polymers, Mitsubishi Electric Power Products, Inc., and Penn State Beaver — to connect students with real-world opportunities in energy, advanced manufacturing, and other STEM-related fields.
“A special thank-you to CCBC for generously hosting this year’s event. Together, we’re helping local students see what’s possible for their futures — and building a stronger workforce right here in Beaver County.”
For more information about the Pathways event and the E& program, visit https://www.beavercountychamber.com/Pathways.