The Lima/Allen County Chamber of Commerce will host its monthly Lightbulb Lab this Saturday, Oct. 10, offering a free career exploration program for children in kindergarten through high school. The upcoming session, scheduled from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., will take place at The Hub, located at 219 S. Central Avenue. This month’s Lightbulb Lab is designed to introduce young attendees to various careers within public safety and service, providing a practical, hands-on learning experience.
The Lightbulb Lab program aims to present a new potential career path to children each month, utilizing interactive and engaging activities. For the October session, the specific focus will be on roles in law enforcement, fire safety, and emergency medicine, among other public service professions. This initiative provides an opportunity for local youth to gain insight into the responsibilities and daily work of those who serve the community.
Volunteers from several of the chamber’s partner organizations will staff the various activity stations at The Hub. These partner groups include Apollo Career Center’s public safety program, the Allen County Educational Services Center, the Lima Public Library, and both the Lima fire and police departments. Their participation ensures that children will interact with professionals and gain authentic perspectives on public safety careers.
The Lightbulb Lab is a recurring event within the community. According to the Lima/Allen County Chamber of Commerce, the program consistently takes place on the second Saturday of each month, establishing a regular opportunity for career discovery. The chamber also stated that it is actively seeking additional community organizations to collaborate in developing and staffing future activities for the Lightbulb Lab. This expansion would allow for a wider range of career introductions and hands-on experiences for participating children.
Furthermore, the Lima/Allen County Chamber of Commerce is looking for sponsors to help underwrite the costs associated with running the Lightbulb Lab. Financial support from local businesses and individuals would ensure the continued availability and quality of this free educational program. The program does not require any pre-registration, making it easily accessible for families interested in attending the upcoming public safety and service exploration session, or future labs focusing on different career fields.