By Jonathan Araujo, Madelyn DiMaio, Kate Friesema

What exactly is STREAM, and how does it connect to future career possibilities? Who should students talk to in order to get valuable insights into various career paths? How can young adults manage their monthly expenses, invest in a 401(k), and build an emergency savings fund, all while maintaining a fulfilling lifestyle?

These were the questions posed last year by students in the Business Capstone and Project Management programs at Hopedale Junior Senior High School. This year, the students are building on that foundation by expanding previous fairs. Over the past few months, three student teams have been busy organizing educational events for students in grades K-12. The Growing Minds Fair, Career Fair, and FinFit Fair are tailored for different age groups, but they all share a common goal: to educate and prepare students about career options and how those choices can impact their financial futures.

The Career fair is an opportunity for students to learn about different careers after high school. This event is mainly directed towards the 9th and 10th grade students where they will participate in mock interviews, presentations from speaker panels and the ability to have one on one interactions with industry professionals. Alongside this there are also opportunities for 7th and 8th grade students to speak with the industry professionals to spread the reach towards younger students. 

Event Date: November 8th, 2024, 8:00am - 11:00 am

Location: Hopedale Junior Senior High School

Fair Coordinators: Alexandra Goode, Madelyn DiMaio, Avery Miller

The FinFit Fair, is a financial literacy education program that seeks to improve Hopedale High School’s Juniors and Seniors financial literacy knowledge. The fair is a simulation of students’ financial realities at the age of 25, and features a variety of different booths where students are able to allot their “salary”: housing, transportation, pets, etc. Juniors and seniors have separate fair sessions, between which keynote speakers from the local government will present to students on the vitality of financial literacy. 

Event Date: December 13th, 2024, 8:00 am - 12:00 pm

Location: Draper Gymnasium

Fair Coordinators: Jonathan Araujo, Leah Hodgdons, Patrick Madden

The Growing Minds Fair is an educational event where students in Kindergarten to 6th grade learn about STREAM topics through fun hands-on activities related to science, technology, and many other subjects. By being exposed to different topics within STREAM, these children may be inclined to pursue a certain career based on their interests and fulfill the employment gap that affects our world today. A few activities include science experiments, engaging math games, and fall-themed art projects. This event will be sponsored by Children Across America and will include a brief introduction to the sponsors mission in providing equal education for students across the nation. 

Event Date: November 19th, 2024, 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm

Location: Hopedale Junior Senior High School Cafeteria

Fair Coordinators: Savannah Sene, Kate Friesema, Emma Friesema

Community members are encouraged to join us for these events to witness our students honing their financial literacy skills, exploring future career options, and engaging in STREAM activities. 

For further details or to RSVP, please contact Talitha Oliveri, the Business Capstone and Project Management teacher, at [email protected]