Summer vacation began on Friday for Poplar Bluff Schools, but earlier in the week students at the Junior High merged with the community to explore a variety of topics not typically discussed in the classroom.
The Second Annual EdExpo may don a new name, but its principles remained unchanged, according to District Instructional Coach Keri Jameson.
"Our goal is to expose students to things they are most interested in, to help guide their decisions as they move forward in their educational careers," she explained.
Known previously as Professional Development or PD Day, the Expo is an opportunity for students to design their own schedules, engage with professionals in potential career fields and participate in recreational activities during the down time that follows MAP testing, Jameson said.
The event also incorporated a new element this year which allowed students to leave the junior high's campus on short field trips to nearby locations. Fifteen businesses participated, including Brick Oven Pizza, Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center and Ulta.
Jameson said the school's central location put the students in a great position to access hands-on experience at a variety of establishments.
Among this year's community participants were the Southeast Missouri Drug Task Force, Moore Funeral Service and Cotrell Funeral Home.
Jameson said organizers incorporated a community service twist which enabled students to visit Cedargate Nursing Home, socialize with the residents and in some instances provide flower arrangements at Cedargate and other participating businesses.
Jameson said it is important for junior high-aged students to start thinking about their futures, as it will allow them to get a jump on the appropriate path needed for achieving their goals.
"If they can identify their passions now, they can determine where they need to focus when they get to high school," she said. "If they're going into funeral services, they may need math and may not have considered that as an important subject to them."
Seventh grader Lanie Robertson visited Ulta in the morning to learn makeup tips, played volleyball, gymnastics and planned to attend a cheerleading session later in the afternoon.
"Usually we have eight hours and we do work," she said. "This time we have five sessions and it's just fun. We designed our own schedules."
Robertson said the day is an opportunity for students to realize that school is about more than academics and highlights the importance of becoming a well-rounded individual.
Special Education teacher Courtney Rutledge said EdExpo enables her students to spend an entire day integrated within the student body, which "they love."
"My whole class is in the middle of all this and you can't tell who's who," she said, gesturing to a volleyball match.
Rutledge said the Expo benefits the entire student body by giving students control to pick where they want to go.
"There are so many things out there and so many opportunities and jobs the kids don't know about," Rutledge said. "By bringing them in at this age, if that's a direction they want to go then they can take those classes in high school to prepare them for their futures."
Eighth grader Gatlin Taylor used one of his five periods to dissect a dogfish shark.
"So far, it's slimy," he explained. "Right now we're messing with the heart."
Taylor said earlier in the school year, his science class dissected a frog, which he enjoyed. Taylor said he doesn't yet know what he wants to be when he grows up, but his favorite Expo activities were flag football and shark dissection.