Hands On! Build Your Future

Career Exploration Workshops For Middle Schoolers

SANTA CRUZ — The Santa Cruz Public Library System, a network of 10 neighborhood library branches throughout Santa Cruz County, announced a series of career exploration workshops for children in grades 5 through 8 in which participants will learn about careers that don’t require a university degree.

Hands On! Build Your Future is a twelve-part program held at four locations throughout central and northern Santa Cruz County made up of three topics – carpentry & construction, electrical, and mechanical design. Each session is designed for a maximum of 15 participants and is 2 hours in length. Sessions include an introduction to the careers in which these skills would be used and the necessary education/apprenticeship required. Additionally, the participants will engage in a hands-on project utilizing tools and skills based on the session’s subject. Each participant will receive a book for that day’s topic and ROP, Union apprenticeship, and Cabrillo College brochures.

These workshops incorporate the principles of STEAM education that include the additional element of art and design principles into the nationally recognized educational focus on science, technology, engineering, and math as a path toward developing a skilled national workforce.

“Many Santa Cruz County high school graduates do not go on to a four year university for one reason or another. We want to help them prepare for a successful life after high school by providing experiential learning opportunities about technical careers well before high school begins”, says Laura Whaley, Manager of Programs at the Santa Cruz Public Libraries.

•••

Construction & Carpentry

Wednesday April 22 • 3:15 – 5 p.m.
Downtown Branch • 224 Church St.

Wednesday May 13 • 3 – 5 p.m.
Aptos Branch • 7695 Soquel Dr.

Mechanics

Thursday March 19 • 3 – 5 p.m.
Scotts Valley Branch • 251 Kings Village Rd.

Wednesday April 1 • 3:15 – 5 p.m.
Downtown Branch • 224 Church St.

Wednesday May 6 • 3 – 5 p.m.
Aptos Branch • 7695 Soquel Dr.

Electricity

Wednesday April 29 • 3:15 – 5 p.m.
Downtown Branch • 224 Church St.

Wednesday May 20 • 3 – 5 p.m.
Aptos Branch • 7695 Soquel Dr.

For more information, visit www.santacruzpl.org or call the Santa Cruz Public Libraries Programming Department at 831-427-7717.

The Santa Cruz Public Libraries (SCPL) system delivers information, education, enrichment and inspiration through a network of 10 neighborhood library branches, a web-based digital library, a Bookmobile and community-based programs. Branch locations include Aptos, Boulder Creek, Branciforte, Capitola, Downtown Santa Cruz, Felton, Garfield Park, La Selva Beach, Live Oak and Scotts Valley. Learn more about SCPL at SantaCruzPL.org or via Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter and YouTube.