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Canfield students connect careers with vehicles
CANFIELD
A firetruck, police car, SWAT vehicle and more lined the front parking lot of Hilltop Elementary School.
Students tried out a different kind of career day Friday – Vehicle Career Day.
Climbing in and out of trucks, tractors and construction vehicles while honking horns and testing durability, elementary-school students exercised both their bodies and their minds learning about careers involving wheels.
Julie Miller, PTO member, said being outside was a nice change for career day.
“It’s nice to get fresh air and get in and out of things – it’s not just standing at a table and somebody talks,” Miller said.
Sara Michaliszyn, event chairwoman and PTO member, said the hands-on aspect of this career day makes it unique in comparison to others.
“It’s a great opportunity for kids to see a whole bunch of vehicles they otherwise can’t touch and feel and climb into,” said Noelle Domer, PTO member.
Michaliszyn said it’s a nice combination of physical and mental activity.
“They’re touching it and learning by doing,” Miller said.
In one of the more-popular vehicles, the SWAT vehicle, was officer Ryan Laatsch of Youngstown City Police Department.
Laatsch, who has a daughter in fourth grade, said it was fun being the guy with the fun vehicle for the day.
“They can hang off of it, bang on it, and they love that it’s bulletproof,” Laatsch said.
He also brought a bulletproof vest for students to try on.
Laatsch said it’s important for officers to visit schools during career days to interact with students.
“It allows them talk to me, and then they’re not scared,” Laatsch said. “I want to make sure I’m open with them so they feel comfortable.”
He said his motivation is his 5-year-old son who used to see police cars and get nervous despite his father being an officer.
Students also got to look at the functions of a firetruck and touch that equipment.
“I like it [emergency vehicles] because my dad’s a police officer,” said kindergarten student Tucker Lindow.
Emergency vehicles didn’t dominate the entire show, however. Vince Tura, Delphi engineering manager, not only brought a hybrid-electric vehicle to the event, but also his relatable knowledge to electronics students of all ages.
Tura said that when it came to younger students, he had to find a way to make these cars interesting to teach them.
“Once they understand that and grasp it, I drive home the importance to understand education,” Tura said.
Tura told students the people who make these innovative technologies are students who like math, science, spelling and more.
“This comes from every learning discipline that is educational based,” Tura said. “I encourage them to go listen to their teacher and that they are here, in school, to learn. Take it all in.”