Wheels of Work Rolls Into Lillian Schumacher

There was plenty of excitement at Lillian Schumacher Elementary as kindergarten students explored big wheels, walked around and climbed in vehicles, and met different people who help keep our community moving during the school’s recent Wheels of Work event.

A Wheels of Work event gives elementary students the chance to explore work vehicles up close and meet the professionals who use them every day. From tow trucks and concrete mixers to police cruisers, tractors, and even a garage door installation transit van, students had the opportunity to climb inside vehicles, ask questions, and learn more about jobs they may have never seen before.

Students listen to career speakers in front of large trucks.

Big Vehicles, Big Curiosity

For elementary students, there is something unforgettable about getting to sit in the driver’s seat of a tractor or hearing the sounds and stories that come with these vehicles. The event created plenty of moments of excitement, wonder, and curiosity as students moved from vehicle to vehicle imagining what it might be like to do these jobs someday.

Student climbs into a tractor

Students see parts inside a garage door repair van

Sometimes introducing career exploration to younger students can feel difficult, but events like Wheels of Work show that it can start with something as simple as hands-on experiences and conversations. Young students are naturally curious, and giving them the chance to explore in a playful and interactive way helps learning stick.

Helping Students See New Possibilities

Early exposure to careers matters because many elementary students are most familiar with the jobs they see within their own families. Events like this help expand their view of the many different ways people contribute to a community.

More importantly, Wheels of Work made learning fun! Students were able to touch, explore, ask questions, and connect their learning to the real world in a way that felt exciting and memorable.

You could see the imagination at work as students explored each vehicle and wondered what it would be like to drive, build, repair, protect, or serve in these roles one day.

Students watch a demonstration using a measuring wheel from a sheriff

Student tries on a police helmet and shield

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