In June, staff at the Portland Arts and Technology High School (PATHS)  were proud to be able to provide week-long “career camp”  programming for rising ninth-graders from PPS’ three middle schools. The students had three programs to choose from; Auto Collision, Farm to Fork, and New Media.

The Auto Collision program gave campers an opportunity to learn how to use tools and equipment that are related to the field. The campers created their own time capsule box out of metal, welding the edges and finishing the sides. They ended the week with a tire-changing competition.

The Farm to Fork program was a combination of the Culinary Arts program and the Horticulture program. Students went on a field trip to pick their own strawberries, chose their own cake recipe to bake, and decorated focaccia using items purchased on a field trip to a farmer’s market. They also learned how to decorate cookies with icing.

Campers in the New Media program learned how to film using professional equipment, and were also taught how to edit. Participants created short scripts, assigned roles, and chose costumes and props. The week ended with a screening of the short films that were created in small groups over the course of the week.