May 20, 2008 - 04:30 AM

By Crystal Crimi

DURHAM -- Durham College's cafeteria became a solar-powered car-building-and-testing facility Wednesday to get elementary students thinking about their future.

At hot glue stations, test stops, and tables scattered with plastic wheels, scissors, and instruction manuals, Grade 7 and 8 students from across the region participated in Building Future Connections. The event for 600 students on May 7 and May 14 featured various interactive workshops to get them thinking about careers and post-secondary school.

"We're making solar cars," said Logan Wind, a Grade 7 student at Dr. Ross Tilley Public School in Bowmanville. Sitting at a table with three other students, he flipped through an instruction manual to figure out what to do next with the small parts in front of him.

"I'm not exactly sure how to attach it," said Logan, looking at the motor, then at his sheet again. "I think I've got it."

As he continued working, other students began testing their cars on sloped wooden tracks with lights above the runway, similar to the sun.

"It's not going to work," said one student about his group's car, and it didn't. After some adjustments by a volunteer, the car started moving.

"Now go to the next track and see if it works there," said volunteer Martin Buschbeck, a teacher at Ormiston Public School in Whitby.

Mr. Buschbeck volunteers for Durham Industrial Education Council for the Advancement of Science and Technology, which aims to get students interested in science and provide teachers with activities and programs to do with their classes. He hopes the event stimulates students into considering science as a profession.

"Our goal is to help students connect what they're doing at the elementary level with potential careers or college programs," said Kathy Rhodes, Durham College professor of integrated studies and program facilitator for the School College Work Initiative.

"Kids have to make some really important decisions in high schools," Ms. Rhodes said. "University isn't necessarily the best... we have to help them have an understanding of what their other choices are."

If a student wants to go into medicine or accounting, then university would be appropriate, but if they want to go into the medical or business field, there are lots of college options, Ms. Rhodes said.

Although post-secondary school is still far away for Grade 7 and 8 students, they have some streaming choices to make for high school.

"They're 13, who knows what they're going to do when they're 18, but at least they're thinking about it," Ms. Rhodes said.

The school/work initiative is funded by the ministries of education and training, colleges and universities. This year's event had a waiting list of 1,000 students.

Ashley Jackson, a Grade 8 student at Carruthers Creek Public School in Ajax, was chosen to attend for her interest in science.

"My teacher thinks I'm doing very well in science and this would be a good opportunity just to expand my horizon of science, how far I could go and if I'm really interested in it," Ashley said.

For Jade Haight, a Grade 7 student at S.T. Worden Public School in Courtice, attending the event and discussing different career choices made her more serious about her future.

"I would like to go to college," said the 12-year-old.

"I didn't think there would be that many college and art things - things that I like," Jade said.

Jordan Binet Amador, a student at Pierre E. Trudeau Public School, Oshawa, was also inspired. He was impressed by the college's cleanliness, the good behaviour of students there, and the feeling of safety.

"I may come to Durham College when I'm older; it looks like a great choice for people looking for a job," Jordan said.

The event made him more excited about going to college and getting good marks in class.

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