EMU’s middle school education class hosted a “College for a Day” event Thursday, Mar. 22 for some lucky local middle schoolers.
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 EMU on Thursday, Mar. 22.
More than 60 sixth graders from the J. Frank Hillyard Middle School “Sting Rays” team spent the day on EMU’s campus to sample college life.
They participated in a variety of programs, including choosing one of three exploratory “majors” for the day.
EMU 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 EMU 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 EMU education alumnus who planned the outing along with teachers Sandy Good-Wetsel, also an EMU 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.”