Students test-drive careers in RHS workshop
RUSSELLVILLE — High school students used virtual reality simulators and augmented reality stations recently to explore careers in health care, transportation, utilities, construction trades through the nonprofit Be Pro Be Proud Alabama.
The mobile workshop, powered by the Alabama State Department of Education’s Career and Technical Education division, brings job-site simulations directly to schools across the state.
Inside the full-sized tractor-trailer, the simulators let students practice tasks and understand the decisions, movements and safety steps required in each field.
“This is the first time the Be Pro Be Proud truck has been able to come to Russellville,” said Alissa Moore, career coach for Russellville City Schools. “We had been on a waiting list for two years.”
Dr. AnnaKay Holland, Career and Technical Education director at Russellville High, said the simulators helped students connect classroom learning with real-world career opportunities.
“It brings technology directly to schools, allowing students to test drive careers,” Holland said.
Rep. Jamie Kiel said the Alabama Legislature funded the simulators through the Alabama State Department of Education.
Because the truck was only on campus for two days, not every student was able to participate.
Moore said the program is expected to add a second truck later this year, which could allow schools to host the simulators for a full week and give more students access.
Moore said some health care, child development and other career-focused classes were unable to attend because of scheduling limits and required field hours.
Moore said truck driving quickly became one of the most popular stations, but the broader value was giving students hands-on exposure to careers they may not have otherwise considered.
“So many of our students are hands-on learners,” Moore said. “I think having them try things this way really opens up the door for other career choices.”
For one simulator, students, one at a time, stood inside a replica bucket from a truck while wearing virtual reality goggles and using hand controllers to complete guided tasks from an elevated work position.
Inside the headset, students could look in every direction, including down from the simulated height of a stadium setting, while opening virtual utility boxes, handling tools and completing step-by-step instructions.
Sophomore Leonardo Francisco Matias operates the semitractor driving virtual reality simulator.
The program also required students to complete safety steps, such as putting on protective gloves before beginning work. One component involved turning to look behind where they were to see a flock of birds fly overhead.
Kiel tried the 18-wheeler driving simulator.
“I was blown away at how realistic the virtual reality simulators were,” Kiel said.
Jakyra Hegler, an 11th grader at RHS, said the experience felt far more immersive than she expected.
“It was my first time using one of these simulators,” Hegler said. “It felt like I was actually moving. I was kind of blown away by the experience.”
Senior Kailey Newton chose the surgery simulator, which showed where organs are located and how the body is structured.
“This is good to have,” Newton said. “It was very insightful. You get to see the inside of the body and get a feel for if you can handle this kind of work.”
Newton said she plans to go into criminal psychology and hopes to work with autopsies.
Coban James, a senior, said the excavator simulator felt much like operating the real equipment he has already used through school classes.
“It was a very similar experience,” he said.
James plans to become a firefighter.
