Visiting students received brief lessons and participated in activities related to human services, early childhood education, criminal justice, physics, chemistry and more.

“The whole point of it is to make that connection between curriculum and careers,” said Mike Roland, Michigan College Access Network community ambassador. “Planting the seeds early helps link K-12 education and careers. Research shows that having career goals promotes educational success.”

Fifth-graders from Bark River-Harris, Big Bay, Holy Name, Mid Peninsula, Nah Tah Wahsh, North Central, Rapid River, Gladstone, Escanaba and Living Waters Academy all visited the Bay campus Friday to be exposed to offerings at the community college and learn about what opportunities exist in the professional world.

While children are by no means pressured to choose a career path at such a young age, they are able to begin to get an idea of how their classwork can have real-life applications. Some seeds may be planted, but whether they germinate or not, the kids will have different opportunities to learn about the world of continuing education and trade training and various job prospects down the road in the form of career fairs and other Bay College events such as “Occupation Open House,” “Bay is the Way Day” and more.

Physics instructor Dr. Matthew Krynicki demonstrates and explains different types of forces to children from Living Waters Academy and James T. Jones Elementary School during “Fifth Grade Friday” at Bay College in Escanaba. (R. R. Branstrom | Daily Press)

Director of Admissions Jessica Beaver said she’d like to create further opportunities for people to learn what Bay can provide. Groups and organizations interested in touring the campus or finding out more about its programs are encouraged to contact the admissions office at admissions@baycollege.edu or 906-217-4010.