Southside Elementary School’s fifth graders sat in cop cars and watched trained adults pound glowing red metal and operate garbage trucks — all in the safety of the school’s parking lot and bus loops.

Under the leadership of second grade teacher Caitlyn Waterworth, a variety of industry experts presented the ins and outs of their chosen profession to Southside’s oldest students during the first Trucks and Trades on Friday. 

“We really wanted to provide some opportunity for career education and kind of career readiness, and at the elementary level, we just wanted them to get exposure,” Waterworth said.

Powell’s community, and those who came, made the event possible, she added, noting that Southside Principal Scott Schiller and the whole school helped with the project that was months in the making.

“It’s cool to see it kind of come into fruition,” Waterworth said.

The idea, in part, came from Sally Bernhisel, Big Horn County School District 1’s college and career coach, and a colleague and mentor to Waterworth.

“After I kind of got the initial idea, I just started to reach out to different people in the community that utilize a specific vehicle for their career,” Waterworth said. “And I was just blown away by the responses. There were so many people who were willing to come, willing to share [and] excited to present to kids.”

The event was beneficial for the students who can “see different things [and] career paths they may choose,” farrier Jesse Marsh said, “And the more things kids see the more options they have.”

Marsh, who made horseshoes in the parking lot, was a favorite of students who would watch (through goggled eyes) as he shaped and cooled the shoes and passed around horseshoe nails. 

There were 11 stations scattered throughout Southside’s property (ranging from semitruck drivers and first responders to John Deere tractors and heating and cooling technicians.) 

The students took a career readiness exam ahead of the event and their results placed them in groups that would travel to the relevant stations.

There were actually more stations than groups, Waterworth added, “we just had them go to the ones that were based off their highest interest levels.”

The exam the students took, the Holland Career Code Test, divides students into six types: building, thinking, creating, helping, persuading and organizing. 

Building was the most common result, Waterworth said.

“It’s really exciting to kind of see it come together. I’m really excited to see just like the community, interact with the kids and just building those relationships. And, you know, I hope that they see something that sparks their interest today,” Waterworth said. “And just from my observation, I think we’ve definitely made that mark, like they’ve definitely seen things that I’ve seen a lot of smiles today. I’ve seen kids excited, and then I’ve also seen on the other side, the people coming in have been so, like, excited to come be here with kids. And I’m just really thankful that they were all willing to take time out of their day to come do this.”