Trades & Skills Hub

How to Introduce Kids to Tools Safely & Confidently
Kay Rizzi Kay Rizzi

How to Introduce Kids to Tools Safely & Confidently

Introducing kids to tools early on can result in more than just cool projects — it can boost confidence, problem-solving abilities, and a lifelong appreciation for building things. This hands-on learning fosters creativity and helps them develop essential, practical life skills. 

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The 5 Skill Domains of Hands-on Education
Kay Rizzi Kay Rizzi

The 5 Skill Domains of Hands-on Education

Are we truly preparing our children with the skills they need to thrive? Contrary to intuition, the answer lies not just in screens, but also in the power of hands-on enrichment.

With hands-on enrichment students, take autonomy by playing a central role in their learning as the agent of cause and effect. Hands-on education promotes development across five key skill domains.

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A Parade Float, A Community, and A Trade
Kay Rizzi Kay Rizzi

A Parade Float, A Community, and A Trade

When one of Elemental Hardware’s partner school districts told us they were entering the city’s holiday parade in a big way, we knew we wanted to contribute in a way that reflected our founder’s roots, our company values, and showed up for our community. Projects like this show students, families, and educators what’s possible when trades are treated as both career paths and valuable contributions to our community infrastructures.

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Career Pathways for Students: Why Early Exposure to Vocational Education Essential
Kay Rizzi Kay Rizzi

Career Pathways for Students: Why Early Exposure to Vocational Education Essential

Many California students graduate without clear direction due to various challenges, including underdeveloped academic skills, financial struggles that force early employment, or involvement in unhealthy choices […]. In this post, we'll explore how investing in vocational education early can give California students the clarity and practical skills they need to succeed in life beyond high school.

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How Youth Enrichment Programs Can Diversify Learning Experiences
Kay Rizzi Kay Rizzi

How Youth Enrichment Programs Can Diversify Learning Experiences

After-school and youth enrichment programs have proven incredibly valuable in supporting student achievement. However, they may miss the mark for some students because of a lack of diversified learning experiences due to the limited topics and teaching styles that are offered. In other words, the future can't possibly be the same for every student. If they're only taught a few subjects in a few specific ways, they may not have as many opportunities to realize their interests, strengths, and the options that they have in life for post-secondary education or college preparedness when it comes time.

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