Iowa Central Campus Revives Competition Day: Local High School Students Showcase Skills and Explore Careers

Competition Day, a platform for high school students to showcase their knowledge in various fields, has returned to the Iowa Central campus after a four-year break. Several schools participated, including Fort Dodge Senior High, Saint Edmond Catholic, and others. Students competed in activities like business plan development, fire pit construction, CPR skills tests, and cupcake decorating.

TJ Martin, Dean of Distance Learning at Iowa Central, stated that the competition was designed for students to compare their skills with others. The event was also about career exploration. In the Health Sciences Department, students participated in a competition where they performed skills and answered trivia questions at different healthcare stations. Successful completion of tasks led them to their next stop.

The stations included Radiologic Technology, Dental Hygiene, EMS, and others. A team from Sioux Central tested their gloving skills at the Medical Assisting station. They interacted with a simulated patient, removed and disposed of their gloves, and then passed the lab coat to the next teammate. After each student had successfully completed the task, they answered questions and received their next clue.

Landen Tate, a Sioux Central student, found the competition to be a good review of his CNA classes. Jen Wittmaack, a science instructor at Sioux Central, appreciated the opportunity for her students to work with experienced professionals. She noted that the hands-on activities provided a great learning experience for her students.

In the EMS session, students tested their CPR skills and the use of AED defibrillators. They performed CPR on a mannequin, moving an ambulance across a screen with their chest compressions. Paul Arens, EMS program coordinator, emphasized the importance of CPR. Meanwhile, in the culinary kitchens, teams of students participated in a cupcake decorating competition, where they were encouraged to be creative.

In conclusion, Competition Day at Iowa Central campus provided a platform for high school students to test their skills, learn from experts, and explore potential careers. The event was not only a competition but also an opportunity for students to engage in hands-on activities and learn from professionals in their fields of interest.

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