The thingamabobber, as one student so aptly described the stethoscope registered nurse Heather Heitman was holding, helps saves lives.

Electrician Jesse Valstar demonstrated a power drill, a tool of his trade.

And there was Red Seal ironworker Clay Veenstra, decked out in his work garb, complete with some of the things he uses daily on the job.

The trio was among 18 professionals from in and around the City of Armstrong who took time out of their schedules to talk about their work at Armstrong Highland Park Elementary School's first-ever career fair Friday morning, Feb. 7.

"This is the first of what we hope will be an annual event," said George Richard, North Okanagan Shuswap School District career education coordinator. "We primarily have parents that have students here, sharing what they do, what they like about their jobs, and the different varieties.

"We had our fingers crossed for about 13 or 14 presenters, so to get 18 is great."

Heitman's husband, Brett, brought along his company vehicle. He's a Zamboni driver at the Nor-Val Sports Centre.

The Armstrong Spallumcheen Fire Departed sent member Martin McQuade with one of the department's trucks.

Other careers for the students to learn about from the presenters included veterinarian technician, long-term care facilith manager, mechanical engineer, a medical radiation technologist, esthetician, flat-deck truck operator, Red Seal carpenter, Kal Tire marketing specialist, IPE general manager and a powerline technician.

The Kindergarten-to-Grade 2 students were given about 10 minutes with each presenter, the Grade 3 to 7 students got an extra five minutes.

Career education, said Highland Park principal Shelly Cull, is a school district strategic plan priority.

"We hope to build awareness of careers and here at Highland Park, we're connecting our efforts and aligning them to the district strategic plan."

The fair also gives the students a reason or purpose as to why they learn the things they're learning in the classroom.

"It's more than just math and literacy," said Cull. "The learning connects to our core competencies, which is part of our curriculum where kids learn how to be critical thinkers, create things, and how to collaborate with others and become more personally and socially responsible."