TMCnet News
Elementary students head to collegePANAMA CITY, Nov 14, 2012 (The News Herald - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- Parker Elementary fifth graders went to college Tuesday as part of American Education Week. The youngsters learned that going to college can be an option for each of them and what they can do once they get there. Brandon Mullins, fifth grade science teacher for Parker, said the day is all about exposure. "We want to inspire our young fifth graders to want to attend college when they get older," said Mullins. "You're planting a seed; granted the fifth graders aren't going to college for another couple of years, but there's no harm in having them see this now." Most students in the class said they did want to go to college, with reasons ranging from sports to becoming a teacher. Tnizjah Pace said she definitely wanted to go. "I want to get an education so I can get a good job," Pace said. Mullins' Morays, his fifth grade class, spent time in the Health and Sciences building and Craig Wise of the department's admissions, talked to the students about what they could learn there. One of the things he explained to them was that school was not forever; there are programs lasting three months or a year they could do and get a good job like paramedic or surgical technician. The Morays interacted with Sim Man, the simulation mannequin used in the Nursing department to see that health learning isn't done with just textbooks. He also spent time talking about studying with the students and encouraged them to start now if they haven't already. "If you can read and understand what you read, there's nothing that a middle school, high school or a college can throw at you that you can't handle if you study," Wise said. "You've got to learn how to study and fifth grade is a great time to do that. Once you know how to study, nothing can stop you or stand in your way." Mullins said it's about generating excitement. "They wanted them to what college life was really like and see real college students," Mullins said. "I want them to understand that education doesn't have to be boring." The students also spent time in robotics, the performing arts center and with the culinary arts. ___ (c)2012 The News Herald (Panama City, Fla.) Visit The News Herald (Panama City, Fla.) at www.newsherald.com Distributed by MCT Information Services |