ESCANABA, Mich. (WZMQ) – On Friday, young Schoolcraft and Delta County students got to experience a college campus while exploring potential career paths.
Busloads of students filled the Halls of Bay College for 5th Grade Friday. The annual event is a partnership between the college and the Delta Schoolcraft Intermediate School District (ISD).
“It brings in over 400 of our local fifth graders to tour the Bay College facilities, learn about different career opportunities and things that they can do once they’re outside of their K-12 experience,” said ISD CTE Supervisor Mike Roland.
Students attended a series of sessions where Bay faculty taught them how what they are learning in the classroom translates to a career.
“‘What am I ever going to do with algebra?'” Roland said. “Well, they’re learning about some different math that applies directly to engineering or chemistry or biology. Bay’s got a great trades program too—welding, nursing.”
Many of the sessions included hands-on activities.
“Students get to go to the chemistry lab and we light things on fire,” said Jessica Beaver, Director of Admissions at Bay College. “They go to the nursing simulation lab and see the mannequins bleed and cough. We are trying to tap the kids in to see different things through touch, interaction, engagement, experimenting.”
One session taught students business skills. However, that doesn’t mean they sat through a lecture.
“They are actually getting interviewed by the faculty and the BPA students, but it’s through a team-building activity with marshmallows and spaghetti,” Beaver said. “Everything’s really fun, really playful, but it’s all for learning and getting the students excited to explore different career options.”
While fifth graders may be much younger than students you would typically see in a college classroom, Roland says this is the perfect time to get them thinking about what comes after high school.
“They can’t be what they can’t see,” he explained. “All the research shows the earlier we can get them exposed to the possibilities helps them start to develop plans as early as elementary school of what they would like to be.”
5th Grade Friday shows students just some of the possibilities available to them in their futures.
“College is fun, but it’s hard,” said Beaver. “It might seem out of reach or inaccessible to some people, depending on their backgrounds, financially, if they have support at home or not. I just hope they feel comfortable on a college campus, in a college environment, and then hopefully feel college is a path for them, if they choose.”
Bay College is interested in partnering with other school groups, co-ops, and youth organizations that are interested in visiting campus for an educational experience. To connect with Jessica Beaver, email jessica.beaver@baycollege.edu.
