ACTE's National Work-Based Learning Conference 2026

This session will showcase a fun, age-appropriate way to introduce elementary students to careers during a Career Week.  Participates will explore how we took our career week from 1 school to 34 schools in just 3 short years, with a team of 1!
The focus will be on showcasing the Dare to Dream Career week which is a developmentally appropriate, interactive, and inspiring career exploration activity for all elementary schools.


This session is appropriate for anyone who oversees Elementary career exploration or work-based learning, or helps to make decisions around Elementary content.


The Dare to Dream Career Week model, takes a structured format that can be applied in a variety of elementary settings from counselors, media specialists, or classroom teachers.  In this session, we will share how different schools applied Career Week in different structures.  Participants will leave with concrete strategies to make Career Week more impactful from structured classroom lessons and center activities to school-wide events.  


This session will blend discussion, modeling of activities and resources for attendees to create their own tooklit for career week.


Resources Provided:
- Slide deck with sample activities and best practices
- Printable student worksheets and handouts
- Planning templates
- A curated list of resources