Trending
ESCANABA -- In October and November, local fifth-graders will see first-hand the opportunities available at Bay College. Through a partnership between Bay and the Delta County College Access Network (DCCAN), students from Escanaba, Gladstone, North Central, Rapid River, Bark-River Harris, Bay de Noc, Emerald Elementary, Holy Name, Mid-Peninsula, and Nah Tah Wahsh PSA have been invited to participate in "Fifth Grade Fridays," a program that allows the youngsters to spend a day learning and touring the college campus.
"Research shows the earlier you can expose students to college and career paths, the more they're able to put that in the back of their minds and start planning towards it, even if they're in fifth grade," said Michael Roland, director of DCCAN.
Following arrival at Bay College in the morning, the children will be greeted by a team who will discuss what college is, and then the fifth-graders can speak on what particular interests they may have.
After lunch, Bay faculty will introduce the students to various programs through a guided tour and interactive presentations. The sessions highlight some of the more interesting aspects of studies in biology, business, emergency response, early childhood education, psychology and physics.
"We light things on fire, get in ambulances, connect wires, play with water... it's fun," said Jessica Beaver, director of admissions at Bay. "What's cool is it all sparks interest and gets students thinking."
Staff, instructors, and students will discuss how topics covered in college courses apply to specific careers.
"The goal is to show our local students the opportunities that they have available at Bay and through our local community," said Roland.
"Essentially, it's one of many first steps in supporting students in their personal exploration of what they could do when they grow up," said Beaver.