MARYSVILLE – About 32 female high schoolers and 14 professional tradeswomen took part in the first “All Girls Build” field trip to the RAP Center at Marysville-Pilchuck recently.

Each student built wooden and metal toolboxes so they could see the difference in using various materials to do the same project. They got to keep the metal one.

The Regional Apprenticeship Program is open to high school juniors and seniors, and one goal is to get more girls involved.

Girls from M-P, Marysville Getchell, Legacy, Granite Falls and homeschooled high school students participated.

“Sometimes ‘you don’t know what you don’t know’, and getting hands-on experience is the best way to learn if you are interested in pursuing something,” said Anne Carnell, RAP Center director. “In this case, the question is, ‘do you want to earn your required high school credits and even some college credits, in a hands-on way?’”

Students work alongside trades partners to hone skills in all phases of construction and architecture, preparing them for preferred entry into apprenticeship programs upon graduation.

For details about RAP contact Carnell at anne_carnell@msd25.org or call 360-965-0035.