Worlds of Work (WoW!) Expo 2019
Jul 31, 2019
We recorded today's show inside the James R. Wilkins, Jr. Athletic & Events Center on the campus of Shenandoah University because it's the new location of the WoW! Expo happening on Friday, September 27, 2019 from 8:30am - 2:30pm. Worlds of Work Expo is a career exploration event managed by Lord Fairfax Community College Career Pathways Consortium, in partnership with Barrett Machine, Inc., Northern Shenandoah Valley Regional Commission, Frederick County Economic Development Authority, and Winchester Economic Development Authority. Over the course of the day, WoW! hosts nearly 3,000 seventh grade students from the region. More than 70 businesses showcase equipment, vehicles, and machinery that students climb into, fix, and manipulate. There are also animals students can touch and care for as well as life-like mannequins they might splint and stitch. The event is designed to be a hands-on exploration of possible careers. We had a conversation today with Sally Michaels (Frederick County Economic Development Authority), Jane Baker (Director of Career & Technical Education/Principal of Blue Ridge Technical School with Warren County Public Schools), and Darcus Breneman (Exhibitor Vice Chair) included the importance of career conversations with our children, the hands-on learning process at the event and what parents can do to encourage their children to tell them about their experience. We also talked about the types of businesses that participate, what's required of them & their exhibits and the rewarding experiences they will have while interacting with the students. Businesses representing the following 'Worlds' are encouraged to participate:
- Agriculture
- Communications
- Construction
- Finance
- Health Science
- Information Technology
- Hospitality
- Manufacturing
- Public Service
- Transportation & Logistics
Exhibitors must provide a brief, hands-on activity for students that demonstrates specific skills or a job that correlates to one available in our region. Students will move through the Worlds, obtaining stamps in their passport for each activity completed. For more information, you can download the flyer here: ExploreTheWoW_web and visit their website: https://www.explorethewow.com/