Santa Barbara Students Explore Future Careers in New Skills Lab
Patricia Martellotti
SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – Students are racing through real-world career challenges at Vieja Valley Elementary School in Santa Barbara.
“We’re trying to go to Tower in 10 minutes in a group so it’s all about teamwork. How tall of a tower can you build,” said teacher Kim Aragon of Vieja Elementary School.
Funded by California Jobs First, the new skills lab uses monthly kits that simulate jobs in fields from AgTech to aerospace.
“We’re working on building skills that students will need in order to be productive in the labor force,” said superintendent Anne Hubbard of Hope School District.
“We’re learning teamwork and we’re building a tower that takes a lot of effort with the whole team,” said student Tayla Stites-Kemp of Vieja Elementary School.
“It’s hard because some people are not working and some people are and we’re trying to make a plan,” said student Zay Corzo of Vieja Elementary School.
So far kids say they’re loving all the hands-on activities from the monthly kits.
“I’m excited because this is a very fun math lesson and we get to work with so many of our close friends,” said Stites-Kemp.
A lab where classroom learning has become a pathway to real careers.
“Listening to each other and they just all wish they had more time,” said Aragon.
By engaging in practical problem-solving activities, students are building confidence and discovering potential career paths at an early age.
Teachers and program leaders hope the skills lab will inspire the next generation of local talent and strengthen the region’s workforce pipeline for future high-opportunity jobs.
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