Take Tech: Grade 8 tech days see increase in grade 9 enrolment
November 23, 2017
GUELPH, Ontario – Hundreds of grade 8 students are getting the opportunity to visit their future secondary schools to engage with fellow students and staff and learn what a career in tech could be like.
The Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) Program at the Upper Grand District School Board offers students the opportunity to explore sector recognized certifications and training at the high school level while better preparing them for their post-secondary futures.
Students enrolled in the SHSM and tech programs or classes at UGDSB schools benefit in a range of opportunities by learning through hands-on experiences that allow students to connect directly with specific sectors.
Tech Days at UGDSB high schools are planned to be a fun day for grade 8 students as they prepare to transition into high school. The goal of the day is to help take some of the stress and pressure off students entering a new school.
Not all grade 8 students are thinking about tech classes as they move to high school; however, tech days help expose these students to technology classrooms and show them how each tech class works as one piece of a puzzle.
Students have the opportunity to see different types of technology education throughout the day, including woodworking, welding, automotive, cosmetology and more. Tech Days allow students to mingle with high school students and ask questions and learn about potential courses.
At John F. Ross CVI, grade 8 students leave the day with a completed project that they built, an example of this is a desk plaque made of wood with the students initial etched in metal.
According to technology teacher Gareth Diamond, Tech Days at John F. Ross CVI have seen so much positive feedback they have seen an increase in grade 9 tech enrolment as a result.
For more information about Upper Grand DSB SHSM, please visit https://www.ugdsb.ca/shsm/.