Adaptive Career Awareness Series
Mid-State believes that you belong here. This series of exploratory sessions allows adults of all abilities to have an authentically inclusive college experience. Experience technical college activities and learn about Mid-State's academic programs, adapted for adults with disabilities. There are seven sessions representing different areas of the College.
Artificial Intelligence for Fun
Wednesday, December 3
10:00 - 11:00 a.m. • Stevens Point Downtown Campus – Room 218
Lead: Brent Presley
Watch how AI can take someone’s words and instantly turn them into a beautiful picture or a short video. Then, you’ll get to try it out—telling the AI what you’d like to see, and watching it bring your idea to life. We’ll also look at how AI can help people with everyday things, like reading text out loud, describing images, or translating words. Finally, we’ll see what fun AI things have been created on the internet.
Business Decision Making
Friday, December 5
10:00 - 11:00 a.m. • Stevens Point Downtown Campus – LEAD Center - Room 519
Lead: Brian Bartel
Decision making made simple! Participants will learn key principles of individual and group decision making, then apply them in a fun team exercise using the “Lost at Sea” scenario. Small groups will rank salvaged items for survival, compare their consensus to expert rankings, and explore group dynamics and decision-making patterns.
Math in Game Shows: The Price is Right Edition
Tuesday, December 9
10:00 - 11:00 a.m. • Stevens Point Downtown Campus – LEAD Center - Room 519
Lead: Maggie Leonhardt
The Math is Right! - Step into the spotlight and test your skills in this interactive career awareness session inspired by The Price is Right! From estimating prices and calculating probabilities to making smart choices under pressure, you’ll see how math plays a starring role in game shows and in real-world careers. Compete in fun challenges, sharpen your number sense, and discover how mathematical thinking helps you make winning decisions both on stage and on the job.
Arboriculture Adventures
Wednesday, December 10
10:00 - 11:00 a.m. • Wisconsin Rapids Campus – Room I142
Lead: Joe Hoffman
Harness Up: Aerial Adventures in Arboriculture - Curious about what it’s like to show up for work up in a tree? Then you’re warmly welcomed to come play in Mid-State’s arborist lab where you can put on a saddle and climb, take a ride in our aerial lift, or try your hand at working the ropes.
Quality Control
Monday, December 15
10:00 - 11:00 a.m. • Stevens Point Downtown Campus – LEAD Center - Room 519
Lead: Ted Melby
Join Ted for a hands-on exploration of how companies test and evaluate consumer products. In this engaging session, participants will take part in a product testing exercise featuring different types of potato chips. You’ll learn how sensory evaluation like taste, texture, appearance, and packaging influences product development and marketing decisions. This activity connects career awareness with real-world skills used in quality control, food science, marketing, and product innovation. Participants will practice observation, data collection, and critical thinking while having some fun sampling and comparing snacks!
A Leadership Experience
Tuesday, December 16
10:00 - Noon • Wisconsin Rapids Campus – Culinary Kitchen - T119
Lead: Executive Leadership Team
Teamwork on the Menu: A Leadership Sundae Experience: Get ready to scoop, swirl, and share ideas as you strengthen connections! This interactive session blends ice cream sundae creation with team dynamics, led by Mid-State’s Executive Leadership Team. As you build your sweet masterpiece with your group, you’ll explore how collaboration, creativity, and communication shape effective teams—on campus and beyond.
