Middle and high school students are invited to meet professionals and try tools of the trade on Thursday, October 8 from 5 to 7 p.m. (Submitted photo)

SHERBURNE — For many curious youth, an ideal career is one that can take them outdoors. On Thursday, October 8, from 5 to 7 p.m., Rogers Environmental Education Center will welcome middle and high school students to discover what those careers can look like, and how to pursue them, at its first annual Science and Outdoor Career Exploration Night.

Professionals staffing booths in the Visitor Center will represent a wide range of fields, including natural resources, wildlife, forestry and land management, soil and water conservation, biology, wetlands, environmental education, science education, and law enforcement. Students will have opportunities to ask experts questions and explore the real gear used in each profession.

"We are thrilled to host a Science & Outdoor Career Exploration Night! The goal of this event is to connect students with passionate people in the field," said Erica Clark, Senior Educator for the Friends of Rogers.

The event is free and open to the public. Participants will receive a passport to be stamped at each booth they visit, and those who collect stamps from a variety of tables will be entered into a grand prize drawing.

Rogers Center is one of four New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) environmental education centers, and is operated by the Friends of Rogers. Rogers Center is located at 2721 State Highway 80, Sherburne, NY 13460.

The mission of the Friends of Rogers is to provide outstanding educational opportunities that excite, inspire, and motivate people of all ages to enjoy, understand, appreciate, and protect our natural environment.

— Information from Friends of Rogers