Middle School and Elementary Initiatives

Providing Opportunities for the Next Generation to Explore All That Is Possible in Career and Technical Education
Erie 1 BOCES Career and Technical Education (CTE) is committed to expanding the opportunities for all WNY students to experience high quality Career and Technical Education. Early access to career exploration, STEM programming and engagement in application-based learning opportunities are critical to this effort. As a result, the following learning experiences have been designed to support our local middle school students, families, and partnering districts.

Girls in Manufacturing Event

In partnership with Dream it Do it, the Girls in Manufacturing Event is a one-day hands-on technical experience designed to inspire and empower 8th-grade girls to explore careers in manufacturing.

Summer at the Center

This year we are offering an option of one or two weeks of Summer Camp. Week One is at the Potter Career and Technical Center, located at 99 Aero Drive in Cheektowaga. Campers can participate in a series of four camps of their choosing, from Camp Culinary and Flair for Fashion to the Mini Veterinary School and Future First Responders. These camps are designed to engage students in exciting and interactive activities that make learning fun.

Week Two will be at our new Calspan Career and Technical Center, which is located at 4411 Genesee Street in Cheektowaga (across from the Airport). Campers complete projects that cover topics including Video Production and Recording Arts, Digital Media and Photography.

BUILD Summer Camp

Are you looking to try your hands at some carpentry this summer? Do you like to learn new skills and making your own projects? If so, you should join us to make some sawdust at Summer Build this year. This is a great opportunity to gain knowledge that you can apply to all kinds of future projects. We will learn how to read and interpret construction drawings to make a project you can be proud to call your own. We will learn how to safely use hand and power-hand tools and develop the different skills and techniques needed to build our project. You will gain confidence in yourself and your abilities, and at the end, have a great project to show off at home!

CTE Discovery Day

Erie 1 BOCES students introduce elementary school students to the world of Career and Technical Education (CTE). Students will first explore a variety of career pathways at a career fair with CTE students. The following week, students will have the opportunity to visit the Potter CTE Center and shadow a class, experiencing firsthand what it's like to be part of a CTE program.

GRIT - Girls Rising Interest in the Trades

Discover the world of skilled trades during an immersive full-day field trip for 8th grade girls to local trades businesses and industries. These hands-on experiences align with the programs offered at Erie 1 BOCES' four Career and Technical Education (CTE) centers, providing students with a glimpse into their future career pathways.

TBD (May 2025)

• Tour of a trades-related business
• Tour of Building Trades, Electrical Systems and HVAC classes at Potter Career & Tech Center

May 8th, 2025

• Kenton Front Park
• Welding and Electrical classes at KenTon Career & Tech Center

May 14th, 2025

• MOOG
• Tour of Aviation and Engineering & Robotics classes at Harkness Career & Tech Center

For more information or to register contact CTE Supervisor Kevin Hurley.