LEWISTOWN — Fifth-graders across Mifflin and Juniata counties received an early look at career and technical education this week as 518 students toured the Mifflin County Academy of Science and Technology in Lewistown.

The visits brought in 256 students from Lewistown Intermediate School, 95 from Indian Valley Elementary Center, 42 from East Juniata Elementary School and 125 from Juniata Elementary School.

The tours, highlighted during Thursday night’s meeting of the Academy’s Operating Committee, gave students hands-on experiences in every program offered at the school.

Each program at the Academy designed age-appropriate activities to introduce students to different career areas:

•Agriculture sciences set up an animal petting area, greenhouse tour and an FFA-led presentation;

•Auto mechanics featured popsicle stick car races;

•Collision repair offered a spray gun activity, sanding stations and a frame-straightening simulation;

•Construction trades provided painting on wood scraps;

•Cosmetology guided students through a tie-dye project focused on color;

•Culinary arts let visitors assist with cookie baking;

•Early childhood education offered stone painting;

•Electrical installation provided an electro quiz, exercise-bike generator, testing coil and Jacob’s ladder;

•Health professions offered activities involving bandaging, wheelchair exercise, anatomy table and medical mannequins;

•Mechatronics set up stations featuring a Rubik’s Cube robot, general-purpose robot and plasma ball;

Precision machining let students try a lathe and watch a computer numerically controlled (CNC) demonstration; and

Welding showcased virtual welding on a Smart TV along with a shop tour.

“We were pleased with that,” Crosson said of the turnout. “Our kids and staff did a nice job. As they were leaving, I had four boys from Indian Valley say they’ll see me in five years. One said, ‘I’ll see you in four; I’m going to try and skip ahead.'”

The Academy has received 244 applications for the 2026-27 school year, with interviews scheduled throughout March. Cosmetology, welding and health professions are currently the most in-demand programs.

2026-27 budget

The Operating Committee approved a 2026-27 budget totaling $4.15 million. The Academy is owned and operated by the Mifflin County School District.

Field trips

The committee reviewed several recent and upcoming field trips and student activities, including:

A Big Valley FFA member competing in the Spring Leadership Development Event speaking contest on March 4;

Big Valley FFA hosting a community agriculture breakfast with Rep. David Rowe on March 6;

Construction trades students installing an ADA ramp for a Mifflin County School District student on March 16; and

Nine Big Valley FFA members participating in Ag Literacy Day at Lewistown Elementary on March 17.

Contracts and approvals

The committee approved the Academy’s 2026-2029 Comprehensive Plan, the list of 2026 spring Occupational Advisory Committee members and a resolution related to the Public School Facilities grant application.

Personnel

The committee approved the resignation of Kenneth Fitzpatrick, part-time custodian, effective March 20, 2026, due to other employment.

Next meeting

The Operating Committee will meet at 6 p.m. on Thursday, April 9.