Nearly 300 Grade 8 and 9 students from across central Alberta spent a full day at Olds College of Agriculture & Technology on May 27, getting a hands-on look at what their futures could hold.
The "Explore, Engage, Experience, Imagine" event, organized through the Central Alberta Collegiate Institute (CACI), brought together students from Wolf Creek Public Schools, Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools, Red Deer Public Schools and Chinook's Edge School Division for a campus-wide experiential learning day.
Students rotated through interactive stations across campus, with sessions covering skilled trades, agriculture, animal sciences, technology and other industry-aligned programs. The short, high-energy format kept engagement high throughout the day as students moved from discipline to discipline.
Reaction from participants was enthusiastic, with many students saying they were surprised by the range of programs and career pathways available at the College. The hands-on activities helped connect classroom learning to real-world applications — and for many, sparked ideas about what life after high school might look like.
Thirteen high school student volunteers were central to the day running smoothly, guiding groups between stations, supporting transitions and keeping energy up from start to finish.
“This event gave students a powerful opportunity to see, experience and imagine what their futures could look like,” said Brianne Fletcher, Director, Community Learning Campus for Chinook’s Edge School Division and Olds College. “The level of engagement and excitement throughout the day speaks to the importance of hands-on, real-world learning experiences.”
The event was made possible through collaboration between Olds College faculty and staff, Chinook's Edge School Division personnel, and the student volunteers whose leadership and enthusiasm were credited as essential to its success.