Desert Sky Middle School students in Glendale are receiving early career exposure through the school’s Career Action Lab, where hands-on activities are part of the curriculum. The lab will undergo renovations with the help of a $15,000 donation from TSMC Arizona. According to The Glendale Star, the funding will be used to expand and update the space to create a more realistic work environment for students.
According to Principal Scott Larter, the lab includes multiple stations that allow students to explore different career paths, and the school plans to expand these options. The grant will support the addition of new modules that represent growing industries, helping the lab stay aligned with current job trends. Larter told FOX10 Phoenix that the lab is intended to function both as a learning space and as a way for students to gain a clearer understanding of potential career fields.
More than 300 students participate in the lab each year, engaging in activities across 18 career pathways, including health sciences, technology, and woodworking. Teacher Eric Axelrod, who has led the lab for ten years, said to FOX10 Phoenix that the grant-funded updates will increase the realism of these activities. With equipment such as 3D printers, drones, and medical tools, the lab will continue to simulate 18 careers and provide more practical experiences for students by the 2026–27 school year.
The program gives students, some as young as 13, the chance to explore different career paths. Eighth grader Mayah Luveano said that she is interested in the medical field, while eighth grader Antwan Stames said he discovered an interest in woodworking after creating wooden dragster models for racing. These experiences show how the Career Action Lab helps students identify potential career interests and develop new skills.
TSMC Arizona President Rose Castanares highlighted the company’s support for the Career Action Lab, emphasizing the importance of encouraging students to explore future careers. The investment reflects TSMC’s commitment to education and community development in the region, where many of its employees and their families live. According to a statement shared with The Glendale Star, the company’s operations in Arizona, focused on advanced microchip production, are now connecting with educational programs to help prepare students for careers in technology.
