EUPISD Transition Career Fair

EUPISD Transition Career Fair

Submitted by markwwe on Thu, 01/22/2009 - 16:11.
Last updated on Mon, 11/02/2009 - 21:33.

Vital Stats

Project Type: ongoing project

Start Date: 01/21/2009

End Date: 04/17/2009

People Impacted: 5000
People Involved: 1800
Money Raised: 13,000

Project Video

The Problem

I am a tenth grade special ed. student with a disability. School is very hard for me and other students as well. The Transition Career Fair gives us hope that we can make it in the real world. We learn that even if we don't get really good grades, we still have skills and abilities. I know that without this fair I would want to quit school. I have friends that feel the same way. Last year 1,400 students came to the fair. The year before we had 1,000. The first fair only had 50 students attend in 1999. Lots of community business and collages are involved now. In 1999 we had five representatives. This fair not only helps students but shows other teachers and adults that everybody had potential to get a job. I have been a part of the planning for five years. I have been the assistant MC for entertainment. This year I am the lead MC and team captain for the tenth grade. I am writing this grant because I know important this fair is. I can get school credit for my involvement. Other students can too. After all the costs it is only ten dollars per student. This is a small price for the amount of learning and awareness about being different.

Why It's Important

The concept for the Transition Fair began back in 1999. A small workshop on self determination was developed by Mr. Conklin and provided to 50 middle and high school special education students. Since that time, this event has grown into a two day event and provided to over 1000 young adults. Incorperation of general education middle and high school students is also evolving. The most exciting aspect of this expanding extravaganza is that it grew through the input of the students. A planning team was formally developed as a result of post fair participant assessments. The metamorphosis from a small workshop, to conference with key note speaker and break out sessions, eventually led to a hands-on interactive fair. As a result, students have been able to communicate with over 70 career venders, had the opportunity to skate with professional hockey players, play basketball with collegiate teams, explore military, medical, and fire fighting vehicles and equipment, try out adaptive technology, perform on stage, participate in dance, wrestling, word games, wheelchair and other art, and witness culturally diverse traditions in an atmosphere of excitement and acceptance.

The Plan Of Action

Fifty students serve on a planning team committee, supervised by Rick Conklin, Transition Coordinator, and other education staff. Vendor participants are identified and invited. The organization of key note speaker and student entertainers is developed. Student team members set up, support, and take down the fair. Grants are written and fund raising by students is done. Eventually, with the support of adult supervisors, some teachers have recognized how significant this fair is to learning, so allow students to write reports, do Math projects related to costs and budget, and get credit in marketing and computer classes for organizational efforts. Students, who only attend the fair, have to ask 3 questions from each booth and have a stamp put on a kind of passport. If they return this to their teachers, some teachers will get credit. We are still working to teach educators that this fair is a learning experience. We invite all teachers who can now get CEU’s by attending, to come see how great the fair is. Since the CEU program has been implemented, the word is catching on that students work hard to help and or attend this fair.

How Can Others Get Involved?

Link: http://www.eup.k12.mi.us/60891092881956750/site/default.asp

Community volunteers, donations and grants, and media coverage all make the fair possible.

Project Updates

11/2/09

Update: Transition Fair 2009 Do something Grant Final Report Student Grant Submission by: Mark Hoffman Date: 9-20-09 Date of Transition Fair Event: 4-16 and 4-17-09 EVENT SUMMARY: The Transition Fair 2009 was held for middle and high school students in the Eastern Upper Peninsula Intermediate School District. Thursday, 4-16-09 was for middle school students and Friday, 4-17-09 was for high school students. An evening event was held for parents and community on 4-16-09. This event was to help students to look at different careers, to understand about individualized education plans for special education, (IEP,) and to learn about the 8 intelligence’s which are the same as the 8 smarts of knowing. Activities: At the event we had Brett Eastburn, our guest speaker who is a stand up comedian with no arms and legs. He spoke about his experiences in life and the sports he played in high school. His main message to the students was think before joining, and one can do anything they set their mind to, not letting challenges stop you from trying. We also had 70 venders who explained the job they represented and what skills it took to do that job. The fire Dept. police dept., a boxing club, radio station, LSSU girls and boys basketball team, Sault Indian Hockey team, animal agencies, colleges, artists, writers, community support agencies, and many other organizations, clubs, and employment support agencies were there. Student entertainment was provided through out the two day event. Student singers, bands, and karaoke were performed and enjoyed by all. Students could participate in wrestling matches, ice skating, dancing, shopping at book store, or buy hand crafted items made by students. Contributors: Many community agencies provided food, money, and supervision at the two day event. Students ate pizza for lunch, and other foods and snacks were provided through out the day for volunteers.

Additional hours volunteered: 65
Additional people impacted: 1479
Additional people involved: 40