Schools and Education
What does it take to introduce an entire grade of middle school students to careers in the skilled trades?
It takes a business willing to open its doors for an entire day. It takes professionals willing to set aside their regular responsibilities to share their knowledge. It takes teachers, volunteers, and organizers working together to make the experience meaningful. And, in Livingston, it takes a community that believes its young people are worth the investment.
On Thursday, November 5th, Community School Collaborative (CSC) brought the entire eighth-grade class from Sleeping Giant Middle School to glassybaby for a hands-on exploration of careers in the trades.
CSC is an independent Park County nonprofit that provides career exploration and work-based learning opportunities to local youth at no cost. Research suggests that young people who develop a positive vision of their futures are more likely to stay engaged in school, make healthy decisions, and build the confidence to pursue meaningful lives and careers.
CSC puts that research into practice by connecting students with the people, workplaces, and experiences that help them imagine what's possible. And on Thursday, the Livingston community delivered.
glassybaby generously provided its facility for the entire day, creating a welcoming space where students rotated through six hands-on stations led by local professionals. Adam Burges and Luke Feasline introduced students to the art and science of glassblowing, demonstrating the extraordinary craftsmanship required to transform molten glass into beautiful, functional objects.
Steve Price led the Williams Plumbing Academy station with remarkable passion for the systems that bring clean water and air into our homes and businesses. His enthusiasm reminded students that the skilled trades aren't simply about fixing things, they're about solving problems and providing services essential to everyday life.
Ben Scheiderer of DJ's Electric introduced students to electrical systems and circuits, while Brian Sullivan of MMEC demonstrated how 3D scanning and design connect creativity with modern manufacturing.
Amanda Mills and Chark Young of Williams Plumbing helped students explore heavy equipment operation using a simulator, and Carolyn Kelman introduced them to a collaborative robot, demonstrating how automation and human expertise increasingly work side by side.
Each presenter brought something different to the experience. Together, they offered students a glimpse into the remarkable variety of skills, interests, and opportunities within the trades. For students, the impact was immediate.
When asked what she found most useful about the day, eighth grader Belle responded, "getting to experience new careers and learning more in depth about how they work." That simple observation captures the heart of CSC's mission.
Students cannot pursue opportunities they don't know exist. And they cannot fully understand what a career involves until they have opportunities to meet the people doing the work, ask questions, and experience some of the skills firsthand.
What makes these days extraordinary isn't just what students learn. It's how many people come together to help them learn it.
"It never ceases to amaze me on these days how this community comes together for the youth of this town," said Rainy Martin, Executive Director of Community School Collaborative. "So many businesses taking an entire day out to spend it with middle school students in order to help them see the possibilities that lie in their future. It's incredible to see."
Behind the scenes, CSC Program Director Erin Barcus coordinates the many moving parts that make these experiences possible: recruiting community partners, helping to develop meaningful activities, coordinating with schools, organizing volunteers, and ensuring students have opportunities to engage with professionals. The result is far more than a field trip.
For some students, it may be their first exposure to the possibilities of a skilled trade. For others, it may be an opportunity to discover that they enjoy solving technical problems, working with their hands, creating something beautiful, or understanding how complex systems work.
And for all of them, it is a chance to experience firsthand that the adults in their community care about their futures.
CSC would like to extend its gratitude to glassybaby for hosting this remarkable day, and especially to Adam Burges for being such an incredible partner. Heartfelt thanks also go to Steve Price, Brian Sullivan of MMEC, Ben Scheiderer of DJ's Electric, Amanda Mills and Chark Young of Williams Plumbing, and Carolyn Kelman for generously sharing their time, knowledge, and enthusiasm.
CSC also thanks the SGMS teachers, community volunteers, and National Honor Society students who helped guide and support the eighth graders throughout the day. CSC provides these experiences to Park County youth at no cost, thanks to the generosity of community donors.
If you believe in helping young people discover their strengths, explore their futures, and build connections with the community around them, please consider supporting Community School Collaborative at csc4kids.org.
Because when a community invests in its young people, it's investing in its own future.