TEMPLE, Texas — The Temple Independent School District Career and Technical Education (CTE) Department will host its sixth annual Christmas Creations event on Thursday, December 11th, from 5:00-7:00 p.m. in the CTE wing of Temple High School (415 N. 31st Street, Temple, Texas 76504).
The annual event serves as a community showcase for the CTE department and provides students with an opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge and skills through free and fun holiday activities for people of all ages. The Christmas Creations event is made up of two major features – student-led arts and crafts, and a holiday market. The student-led events will introduce younger children to some of the possibilities available through the CTE department with hands-on experiences that demonstrate the importance of career driven learning. Some of those experiences include ornament decorating, Christmas photos, holiday flowers, nail art, elf pancakes, and a petting zoo. But there will also be another, more unique spin from some of the programs.
“Our CTE programs, led by student ambassadors, will transform our labs into a fun and interactive learning space for elementary students,” said Sara Bartlett, director of Career and Technical Education for Temple ISD. “They will host games and crafts representing each program of study, offering younger students a hands-on experience in our facilities. For example, to mirror the welding process, students will ‘weld’ graham crackers together with icing, allowing them to experience hands-on learning in action.”
The department will also have items available for purchase through its holiday market. Those items are handcrafted and curated by students in CTE programs. You can also shop for those products through the Wildcat Workforce online market at https://templewildcatmarket.com/.
“We will also be hosting a vibrant holiday market,” Bartlett added. “Our creative students have produced unique, high-quality items for sale to the community, both in-person and online. Available goods include beautiful, welded art, delicious treats from Culinary Arts, fresh greenhouse plants, custom yard art, and even 3D-printed items like a light-up Temple ‘T’. Come see the creativity and skills of our students. We look forward to celebrating with you!”
The student-run Blue Cup coffee shop will also be open during the event, selling festive refreshments. Attendees are encouraged to park in the parking lot at the back of the high school, off of Houston Street. Entry to the event will be through door #23 into the CTE wing of the school.