CTE Discovery Day Engages Elementary Students with Hands-On Career Exploration

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On November 7th, Winchester-Potters Elementary School in West Seneca CSD partnered with Erie 1 BOCES’ Potter Career and Technical Education Center to host the first-ever CTE Discovery Day. This career fair introduced 4th and 5th graders to a range of Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs, sparking interest in future career pathways as they prepare for high school.

Students from Potter CTE showcased programs such as Automotive Technician Training,Culinary Arts, and Cosmetology through interactive demos and engaging presentations, allowing elementary students to explore various fields and the skills they require. Winchester-Potters Principal Robyn Brady noted, "It’s really exciting to see how engaged they are, asking questions, taking notes. The hands-on equipment the students brought over from BOCES really brings it to life."

The CTE Discovery Day experience will extend beyond this event, as Winchester-Potters 5th graders will visit the Potter CTE Center on November 14th to shadow a CTE classroom and see these programs in action.

"We are always looking for opportunities to showcase our students and our amazing programs, said Erie 1 BOCES CTE Supervisor Kevin Hurley. “One of the simplest ways was to look next door at the elementary school filled with students who may not know what we do.”

Alana Petschke, a Potter CTE student and Winchester-Potters alum, represented the Baking and Pastry Arts program. "Some of them were really into it and said they would want to take Baking and Pastry Arts when they get older, which was really great to hear," she shared.

CTE Discovery Day is just the beginning of a journey for these young students, helping them envision the exciting future that awaits them.