A group of students from the AVID program at Los Alamos Middle School were challenged to discover STEM career options during one week of engaging, activity-based learning related to the Early College High School program, funded by Los Alamos Public Schools and hosted at UNM-Los Alamos (UNM-LA). Participants were introduced to a variety of careers to help them in making choices about their high school education.

Each morning and afternoon session provided the students an opportunity to learn about different aspects of careers in electro-mechanical technology, marketing or Emergency Medical Services with presentations and activities. Activities included practicing the Heimlich maneuver on CPR mannequins, building and programming robots, and designing individual graphics for t-shirts. Students also had a chance to try welding and to use a plasma cutter to create name plates.

One of the week’s highlights was meeting Coalby, a nationally certified search and rescue dog, who visited campus with Terry DuBois and Debbie Miller of the Mountain Canine Corps. After DuBois and Miller talked about search and rescue and how dogs are trained, the students interacted with the dog and engaged in some search activities with the dog. The dog successfully located the students on the various challenges.

The program included field trips to the Los Alamos Municipal Building to learn about brand marketing, to the Los Alamos Daily Post to discuss the purpose of advertising and creating an effective advertisement, and to Pajarito Mountain Ski Area to learn about working with the Ski Patrol.

This program is part of the Los Alamos Early College and Career Academy (LAECCA) that Los Alamos High School offers in conjunction with UNM-LA. Through LAECCA, students can earn an academic certificate while simultaneously completing their high school diploma. The program this summer focused on possible career paths offered through LAECCA.