The program is for students ages 9 to 13, and offers condensed versions of the “shops“ Pathfinder's students study throughout the year, such as robotics, culinary arts, cosmetology, automotive, auto body, Web design and machine technologies.
Liam Paulhus, of Brimfield, shows off a substance he made called 'ooblek' and his balloon-propelled car. He made both in Pathfinder Regional Technical High School's summer youth enrichment program through the 'Young Einsteins Science' course. The school is in Palmer.PALMER – Battling robots, cake decorating, making homemade ravioli, creating a gooey substance and hair-styling – these activities and more all were happening on a recent weekday at Pathfinder Regional Vocational Technical High School as part of its annual summer youth enrichment program.
The program is for students ages 9 to 13, and lasts three weeks. It offers condensed versions of the “shops“ its students study throughout the year, such as robotics, culinary arts, cosmetology, automotive, auto body, Web design and machine technologies.
“This may give them some idea of what they may like to do in the future,“ said Paul A. Bouthiller, an automotive instructor and summer youth enrichment program director.
A battle between two robots was underway in the robotics class, led by electronics and robotics instructor Guy Nyzio.
Julie M. DiPilato, 18, right, a 2011Pathfinder Regional Vocational Technical High School graduate, crimps the hair of Shannon E. Davis, 11, of Palmer, in the school cosmetology center as Mikayla L. Shea, 11, of Belchertown, looks on at left in a program to show area youngsters the programs offered at Pathfinder. The school is in Palmer. Nick H. Dobek, 11, of Ludlow, said he wanted to take the course after one of his friends did it and recommended it.
“I wanted the experience of building an actual robot,“ Dobek said. “It’s really fun.“
The students certainly looked like they were having fun as they cheered on their robots.
In another part of the school, culinary instructor Patrice Mercier oversaw the new “bake shop“ program, showing the students, who are all fans of the reality television show “Cake Boss,“ the basics of cake decorating.
Emily R. Bray, 10, of Belchertown, and Hannah Q. Bryan-Nelson, 12, of Ludlow, were perfecting the pastel frosting on their cakes. Bray wrote her name on hers.
“This was really fun. We got to make lots of different things and I made lots of new friends, like Emily,“ Bryan-Nelson said.
Mary B. Fusco, a science teacher, led the “Young Einsteins Science“ class, showing her students how to make catapults, balloon-propelled cars and a pink, gooey substance called “ooblek“ that had both properties of a liquid and a solid.
“Today we’re going to look at pond organisms under a microscope,“ Fusco said.
Alex G. Strickland, 11, of Belchertown, liked making the catapult so much that he recreated it with his father at home.
“They’re very enthusiastic kids. Their enthusiasm is beyond belief,“ Fusco added.
Cosmetology instructor Shelby A. Raymond said her students learned how to do facials, manicures, nail art and hair styles.
“They love working on the mannequins. Some are real naturals at it,“ Raymond said.
Culinary instructor Anthony B. Bishop had his group make homemade ravioli, something he said can be difficult even for seasoned cooks.
“They did a really good job,“ Bishop said.
Ethan J. Burek, 13, of Belchertown, and Marcello T. Miller, 11, of Ludlow, are aspiring chefs who took Bishop’s class. They both like cooking Italian food.
“My dad taught me how to cook and I loved it ever since,“ Burek said.
“My whole family cooks,“ Miller said.
Bouthiller said approximately 60 students participated in the program each week; the program ended July 29. The cost was $200 for one week.