Penn College News

'Career Day' Helps Middle-School Students Focus on Future

Monday, May 18, 2015

Faculty and several staff members across campus joined Penn College’s Outreach for K-12 staff in providing a day of career learning for just over 1,000 middle-schoolers from five area school districts. The event is designed to give participants a taste of a variety of career options, which in turn will help them to make informed decisions about their futures.


– Photos by Jennifer A. Cline, writer/editor-One College Avenue,
and Pamela A. Mix, secretary to the ESC executive director and assistant dean of transportation and natural resources technologies


Barbara J. Natell, director of occupational therapy assistant, prepares a student to be “spun” so classmates can view the typical reaction of a person’s eyes.

Barbara J. Natell, director of occupational therapy assistant, prepares a student to be “spun” so classmates can view the typical reaction of a person’s eyes.

A Jersey Shore Area Middle School student uses a “grabber” to pick up a box of candy as part of a wheelchair challenge.

A Jersey Shore Area Middle School student uses a “grabber” to pick up a box of candy as part of a wheelchair challenge.

Dave Probst, assistant professor of drafting and computer-aided design, leads students in designing “The Wildcat,” a fictional roller coaster.

Dave Probst, assistant professor of drafting and computer-aided design, leads students in designing “The Wildcat,” a fictional roller coaster.

Glenn R. Luse, instructor of building construction/masonry, offers guidelines to Williamsport Area Middle School students before they “dig in” to bricks and mortar.

Glenn R. Luse, instructor of building construction/masonry, offers guidelines to Williamsport Area Middle School students before they “dig in” to bricks and mortar.

Scott D. Neuhard, assistant professor of electronics, assists a student with his circuit.

Scott D. Neuhard, assistant professor of electronics, assists a student with his circuit.

A student from Milton Area Middle School checks out an astable multivibrator circuit – aka blinking lights.

A student from Milton Area Middle School checks out an astable multivibrator circuit – aka blinking lights.

Penn College emergency medical services students lead participants in stabilizing an accident victim in order to move him from the scene.

Penn College emergency medical services students lead participants in stabilizing an accident victim in order to move him from the scene.

Renee E. Smith, part-time/substitute instructor in industrial and human factors design, answers questions about rapid prototyping as part of the design process.

Renee E. Smith, part-time/substitute instructor in industrial and human factors design, answers questions about rapid prototyping as part of the design process.

Teams compete in a game-show style challenge that reveals the “Myths and Truths in Human Services.”

Teams compete in a game-show style challenge that reveals the “Myths and Truths in Human Services.”

John M. Arrigonie, a part-time instructor of fitness and lifetime sports at the college, guides participants in reading a body-composition analyzer.

John M. Arrigonie, a part-time instructor of fitness and lifetime sports at the college, guides participants in reading a body-composition analyzer.

Event volunteer Donald Hill, and electrical engineer from Montoursville and former Florida State University instructor, presents a pet tag freshly minted via electrical discharge machining. Hill assisted Tom Livingstone, associate professor of machine tool technology/automated manufacturing, in a “Sparks Make Parts” session.

Event volunteer Donald Hill, and electrical engineer from Montoursville and former Florida State University instructor, presents a pet tag freshly minted via electrical discharge machining. Hill assisted Tom Livingstone, associate professor of machine tool technology/automated manufacturing, in a “Sparks Make Parts” session.

Middle-schoolers determine their resting heart rates during a hands-on workshop that teaches them to take health and fitness assessments, an important skill in exercise science.

Middle-schoolers determine their resting heart rates during a hands-on workshop that teaches them to take health and fitness assessments, an important skill in exercise science.

A student uses SketchUp, a free 3-D computer modeling program, to design a house in an architecture lab.

A student uses SketchUp, a free 3-D computer modeling program, to design a house in an architecture lab.

– Chef Monica J. Lanczak, instructor of baking and pastry arts/culinary arts, offers a cake-decorating demonstration.

– Chef Monica J. Lanczak, instructor of baking and pastry arts/culinary arts, offers a cake-decorating demonstration.

Following blueprints (and the instruction of Harry W. Hintz, instructor of construction technology) Career Day visitors measure and stake out the outside wall of a home.

Following blueprints (and the instruction of Harry W. Hintz, instructor of construction technology) Career Day visitors measure and stake out the outside wall of a home.

Alongside one of the vehicles in the ESC's instructional fleet, diesel instructor Chris S. Weaver enlightens lab visitors.

Alongside one of the vehicles in the ESC's instructional fleet, diesel instructor Chris S. Weaver enlightens lab visitors.

Ken J. Bashista, laboratory technician for diesel equipment technology, coaches a Career Day guest as he uses an excavator to lift a soccer ball from a cone and into a trash can.

Ken J. Bashista, laboratory technician for diesel equipment technology, coaches a Career Day guest as he uses an excavator to lift a soccer ball from a cone and into a trash can.

Students in horticulture instructor Carl J. Bower Jr.'s lab use digital landscaping software to take a house from bland to beautiful.

Students in horticulture instructor Carl J. Bower Jr.'s lab use digital landscaping software to take a house from bland to beautiful.