The first Carbon County Education Expo was held Saturday at the Franklin Township Volunteer Fire Company. The expo was planned to inform parents of what choices they have, from education to extra curricular opportunities.

“Basically, everybody knows about public education; but, there are a lot of other people, working in our county, who provide other opportunities to expand their children’s learning opportunities,” Joy Beers, a volunteer with the Expo, explained.

The event kicked off with the singing of the National Anthem by Jewel Gilbert, Easton; and Tasia Holland, Bethlehem, members of Truth & Light Media.

The expo had a lot of opportunities for parents and children.

“We have a lot of exhibitors to showcase a wealth of wonderful things Carbon County has for families,” Christine Allen of Reading Escapades & Math Explorers, said. “We have many speakers where parents can learn about different ways to help their kids in a variety of topics. And while their parents are doing that, we have the Kids Corner, to give kids something to do.”

Exhibitors at the Expo were the Carbon Career & Technical Institute, Grace Alliance Academy, Lehigh Carbon Community College, Little Warriors Child Care, Pa Families for Education Choice, Homeschool Success with Maria, Path Stone, Valley Royale, Palmerton Library, Kids for the Community, Girl Scouts, Girls Golf of the Greater Lehigh Valley, Push the Rock, Clay Shooting, Turning Point, Truth and Light Media, and Commonwealth Charter Academy.

Carleigh Jackson of Towamensing Township wanted to learn more about options for Kayla, her daughter.

“Sometimes it’s hard to know what choice we have,” Jackson said. “That’s why this is great, we can find more things for her.”

The Kids Corner featured an indoor tennis game set up by Valley Royale of the Mahoning Valley; exhibitions from Gentle Spirit Martial Arts; Sing and Dance with Truth & Light; PathStone; and Reading Escapades & Math Explorers.

Several talks were held about different educational options: “One in Five, the hidden reason school is so hard for so many Kids,” presented by Reading Escapades & Math Explorers; “Homeschool: is it the right educational choice for your family?,” presented by Homeschool Success with Maria; “Dual Enrollment,” presented by LCCC; “Getting your family outside in Carbon County,” presented by Little Warriors.

Christina McAuliffe from Schnecksville was there on behalf of Girls Golf Lehigh Valley/Western Lehigh Valley.

“We’re here promoting our summer programs. We teach young ladies from 6 to 17 all about golf. Everything from putting, full swing, choosing the right driver, and things like course management and rules about the game.”

“We were debating about extending into Carbon County, and this is a good first step,” McAuliffe added.

One of the educators was Lori Sekol, founder of Joyful Noise Online Preschool.

“We teach children online, about 30 minutes at a time, encouraging them to learn letters, numbers, shapes, and colors, so that they can go out and explore and be creative in their learning atmosphere,” Sekol said of the program.

Tom Schaaf from Commonwealth Charter Academy demonstrated how a drone works inside an enclosed tent.

“This is an opportunity to display some of the things our students can experience, especially around technology. We have a program called TechWorks that allows our students to interact with technologies like coding, cybersecurity, robotics, mass manufacturing, and more.”

Plans are already in the works for next year’s expo.