2026 WV ACTE Summer Conference

This session highlights how a rural West Virginia middle school program leverages community partnerships, state connections, and existing campus resources to embed innovation and entrepreneurship into student learning. Participants will explore practical, replicable strategies for building partnerships, designing student-driven projects, and transforming classroom assignments into real-world impact. Attendees will leave with a framework they can immediately implement in their own schools—regardless of size or funding.This session highlights how a rural West Virginia middle school program leverages community partnerships, state connections, and existing campus resources to embed innovation and entrepreneurship into student learning. Participants will explore practical, replicable strategies for building partnerships, designing student-driven projects, and transforming classroom assignments into real-world impact. Attendees will leave with a framework they can immediately implement in their own schools—regardless of size or funding.

Career exploration shouldn't begin in high school—it should start the moment students begin asking "what do I want to be?" West Virginia's middle school CTE requirements create a powerful opportunity to plant those seeds early, but finding engaging, standards-aligned curriculum that meets those requirements can be a challenge.


This 15-minute session introduces educators and administrators to two powerful tools for middle school career exploration: eDynamic's middle school career exploration curriculum and Learning Blade, a supplemental STEM and career awareness platform. Together, these resources help students discover their interests, explore career pathways, and build foundational workplace skills—all while helping schools meet West Virginia's middle school CTE course requirements.

Rural middle schools play a critical role in helping students begin to see possibilities for their future. Yet many schools face challenges such as limited access to industry partners, transportation barriers, and fewer opportunities for career exposure. This session will explore why career exploration in the middle grades matters and how educators can expand students’ awareness of careers—even without leaving the classroom.


Participants will learn practical, low-cost strategies that rural schools can implement immediately, including virtual industry tours, career-focused project-based learning, and using real labor market data for career research. Attendees will leave with concrete ideas and resources to help rural students discover big opportunities beyond their small towns.