Did you ever wonder what it’s like to “scrub in” for surgery, or look at DNA under a microscope? Or maybe you’re more interested in building bridges, cooking up a culinary masterpiece, or checking out firefighting? On Wednesday May 7, a one-day experiential event called “Connections 7/8” will be held at St. Lawrence College’s Kingston, Brockville and Cornwall campuses. This day will give 600 Grade 7 & 8 students the opportunity to try out some of these activities.

On Thursday May 8, 300 Grade 10 & 11 students will be participating in one of 18 different programs offered at the Kingston campus. “Connections 10/11” is designed to bring our secondary students and staff into the college, expose them to programs that are currently available, and give them an opportunity to experiment and learn through hands-on activities.

“The Connections events are a great mechanism to open the eyes of students in Grade 7 & 8 and Grade 10 & 11 to the programs that are available at St. Lawrence College. It is our hope that by exposing them to the college and showing them all the different career pathways that exist through a college education, they will be encouraged to complete their secondary education and consider college as a post-secondary destination.” said Pat Garrod, School College Work Initiatives (SCWI) coordinator at St. Lawrence College.

This program is supported by the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities through SCWI and will involve students from four area school boards, Algonquin Lakeshore District School Board, Catholic District School Board of Eastern Ontario, Limestone District School Board and Upper Canada District School Board.

Event synopsis:

Grades 7/8 Connections:

Wednesday May 7: Kingston, Brockville and Cornwall campuses will host 600 Grades 7 & 8 students. Students will be exposed to and involved with hands-on activities in a wide variety of programs at each campus.

Grade 10/11 Connections:

Thursday May 8: The Kingston campus will host 300 students who will be participating in one of 18 different programs for the day including business, fitness, health sciences, biotechnology, hairstyling & esthetics, culinary arts, carpentry, masonry, digital arts for musicians, robotics, computers, community services, police work, corrections, engineering, general arts and science, behavioural science, animal surgery, and graphic design.