Career Lab Coming To Algood Middle School

Putnam County Schools in the planning process to build a career exploration lab at Algood Middle School.

Putnam County Schools CTE Supervisor Jackie Vester said the proposed lab would include 18 stations where students can learn about the different career programs the school system offers at the high school level. Vester said middle schoolers will use the lab as part of their career exploration classes. Vester said the goal is to give younger students exposure to the programs the high schools offer.

“Our hope is that by exposing students at that point and something that is a little bit hands-on along with that industry,” Vester said. “That will help our students make better and more informed decisions when they are going to the high school of what program of study they would like to take part of.”

Vester said this will be the first career exploration lab in the system. Vester said the school system is waiting to hear back about how much the project will cost and expects to hear back within the next couple of weeks with hopes to have the lab built by the next school year.

“We want to be ahead of the game and have all of our ducks in a row before summer,” Vester said. “So then we would be ready to install and move forward.”

Vester said the lab will not only gain interest of students in multiple different careers but also teach foundational life skills. Vester said a basic example of many life skills is clearing a pea trap, fixing a faucet that leaks, or wiring a light bulb.

“Even if they decide hey this industry or this career is not for me,” Vester said. “They are still going to take those skills that they learned in that rotation with them.”

Vester said the school system will use Innovative School Models Grant funding to pay for the project. Vester said the lab is innovative and a new way for students to learn about the many different careers that exist here in the Upper Cumberland.