PORT ST. LUCIE — More than 760 St. Lucie Public Schools eighth graders participated in hands-on demonstrations of careers ranging from healthcare and construction to logistics, technology, communications and public service during the 8th Grade Experience on Nov. 12 at the school district offices in Port St. Lucie.
School buses arrived throughout the morning beginning at 8:30 a.m., bringing groups of students from across the county to meet with representatives from 30 local businesses and organizations. Exhibitors spent the day discussing local career opportunities available after graduation from high school or college.
The event was coordinated by the Treasure Coast Center for Economic and Educational Development (TCCEED) in collaboration with St. Lucie Public Schools. It served as a pilot program modeled after an annual career exploration event in Bowling Green, Kentucky. District and TCCEED leadership visited Bowling Green several times in 2024 while planning for the initiative…