8th Graders work in the Automotive Shop at BRCTC during "Experience Day"

For Immediate Release: January 29, 2020
Media Contact: Lindsey Goudreau at 207-443-8330 or lgoudreau@cityofbath.com

Bath, ME (January 29, 2020) - Busloads of 8th graders from local middle schools arrived at the Bath Regional Career and Technical Center (BRCTC) last week to explore program opportunities at the well-known career and technical education high school. 

“Experience Day” started in the cafeteria where BRCTC Director Julie Kenny introduced students to the school and its purpose: to provide students with the proper job skills and training to be career-and-college-ready directly after high school, all while accruing post-secondary credit. 

Students were allowed to select three of BRCTC’s nine programs to sample for an hour apiece. Some dawned protective glasses and learned how to use a handsaw in Ray Bernier’s carpentry class; some grabbed a chair in Kelly Brochu’s computer lab and explored the world of graphic design; others learned how to put a baby down for a nap in early childhood education with Gretchen Parlin.

“The 8th grade experience days were developed to give students earlier exposure to career planning,” said Kenny. “There are some students who have never been exposed to some of the career skills that BRCTC has to offer. This day helps students make a more informed decision on what their high school experience may look like as they begin to meet with a high school counselor in the spring.”

BRCTC accepts students from Morse High School, Wiscasset Middle High School, Boothbay Region High School, and Lincoln Academy. Students who are accepted into the programs spend half of their day at BRCTC (either morning or afternoon) and the other half at their high school earning the core credits. 

Although BRCTC’s current programs are geared toward 11th and 12th graders, Kenny said she is looking for ways to engage younger students in career and technical education (CTE) experiences. BRCTC’s Summer CTE Bridge Program, for example, which is open to incoming 9th and 10th graders, allows students to participate in two programs over the course of two weeks in June while earning high school credit.  

“I look forward to working with students, families, and staff as we collaborate to make a positive impact and prepare students for the workplace and post-secondary education,” Kenny said.

 

Funding for Experience Day was provided in part by the MELMAC Education Foundation’s Career and College Readiness grant. To learn morning about the Bath Regional Career and Technical Center, visit https://www.rsu1.org/o/bath-regional-career-and-technical-center.