Early career exploration helps students connect their interests and strengths to future opportunities. Middle school is the ideal time to introduce students to a variety of pathways that support enlistment, enrollment, and employment.
Through hands-on, career-focused learning, students explore different career fields, build employability skills, and discover possible next steps. Flexible program options allow schools to offer broad career exploration or create a more focused pathway that aligns with their goals. Each experience encourages reflection and helps students better understand education requirements, job outlook, and future opportunities.
EARLY CAREER EXPLORATION GRANT OPPORTUNITY
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Flexible 10-Day Schedule
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Hands-on Projects
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Available on Any Device, Any Time
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Two-Person Teams
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Career Exploration
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Design Briefs
AR DCTE will hold half-day PD sessions at each co-op throughout September.
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This professional development opportunity is designed for middle school teams committed to strengthening career awareness and exploration while building a culture of career readiness within their schools.
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During this session, teams will also explore practical strategies for creating and sustaining a career-ready culture on their campus.
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A team of one building administrator, one counselor, and up to four additional staff members must attend to be eligible for a grant opportunity.
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Participants will review the potential grant opportunity through Paxton/Patterson, which offers a turn-key, hands-on College and Career Readiness Lab focusing on Level 2 Career Exploration.
Items received through the grant will include:
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Lab Materials and Installation
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Curriculum Resources
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Instructor Training
Arkansas DCTE is offering a grant opportunity in the fall of 2026 for schools to purchase a hands-on Paxton/Patterson - College and Career Readiness Lab as part of a larger effort to create a culture of career readiness in grades 6-8 across the state.
GRANT INFO
GRANT APPLICATION
CURRICULUM OPTIONS
Click on a Module for more information. Click on a Heart Icon to add Modules to your LAB WISHLIST.
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Alternative Energy
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Design & Marketing
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Emergency & Fire Management Services
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Flight & Drone Technology
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PC or Chromebook Required
Intro to Child Development
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Intro to Health Science Careers
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Plumbing
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Veterinary Medicine
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Computer Graphics & Game Development
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PC Required
Digital Manufacturing
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PC Required
Energy & Power
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HVAC
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Intro to Culinary Arts
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Materials Processing & Design
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Robotics
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iPad Required
Welding Basics
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Criminalistics
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PC or Chromebook Required
Electrical
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Environment & Ecology
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Home Maintenance Fundamentals
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Intro to Engineering & Design
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Occupational Health & Safety - Construction
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Structural Engineering
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PC Required
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Water Access
Outlet Required
