Middle School Students Sample College Life

91´óÉñ’s middle school education class hosted a “College for a Day” event Thursday, Mar. 22 for some lucky local middle schoolers.

middle school field trip to 91´óÉñ
Sandra L. (Sandy) Brownscombe, professor of education, helps Dillon Showalter, a sixth grader at J. Frank Hillyard Middle School, untether himself after scaling the rock climbing wall at 91´óÉñ on Thursday, Mar. 22.

More than 60 sixth graders from the J. Frank Hillyard Middle School “Sting Rays” team spent the day on 91´óÉñ’s campus to sample college life.

They participated in a variety of programs, including choosing one of three exploratory “majors” for the day.

91´óÉñ education majors planned the event and worked with the students throughout the day, giving them some real life, hands-on teacher training as well.

In addition to the climbing wall, participants:

  • visited the 91´óÉñ Historical Library
  • toured campus (including dorm rooms)
  • learned about water, animal adaptations and wave lengths
  • experimented with paper making and crafting pottery
  • and participated in a theater session on creating historically-accurate skits

“It’s been a great day,” said sixth-grade teacher Anita Hertzler, an 91´óÉñ education alumnus who planned the outing along with teachers Sandy Good-Wetsel, also an 91´óÉñ alumna, and Denise Hill.

“The kids have had a lot of fun and gotten some good exposure to what college life is all about from the classroom to the dorm, the dining hall and just plain fun.”