Fifth Graders Go to College
If you happened to notice
some particularly young-looking students walking around campus last
month, relax – no need to think you’ve suddenly aged 20 years and
are in need of stronger glasses. Those youthful students you might
have seen on the Long Walk or in Mather were probably taking part in
the “Fifth Graders Go to College” program. Coordinated by the
Hartford Consortium for Higher Education, the program brings fifth
grade students from Hartford public schools to area college campuses
where they hear about college life and are given information about
future career options. About 20 Trinity students from Alpha Delta
Phi played host to the youngsters, exposing them to college life in
an interesting, informative, and fun way.
Trinity has been
welcoming the elementary school students to campus since the late
90s, along with other schools in the consortium. In the early days
of the program the College would host approximately 30 students, but
the program has expanded in the last couple of years. This year
there were roughly 200 students involved, with their visits to
Trinity spread over two days. The consortium’s goal is to allow
every fifth grader in the Hartford public school system to visit an
area college.
While on campus, the
students attended a presentation by Associate Professor of Biology
Scott Smedley, entitled “Insects Rule!” They also had an opportunity
to learn about robotics from a group of engineering students,
participated in interactive classroom activities during a visit to
the Raether Center, and witnessed an electric fish demonstration by
Associate Professor of Biology Kent Dunlap and his students. The
fifth graders were astounded to learn that the South American fish
produce weak electric discharges in order to communicate with each
other. Before their visit to Trinity was complete, the elementary
school students took part in a clinic put on by members of the men’s
basketball team and had lunch in both Mather dining hall and Hamlin.
“We’re happy to
participate in this program with the rest of the consortium
schools,” says Director of Community Service and Civic Engagement
Joe Barber, whose office coordinates the visit each year. “It
provides a wonderful opportunity for local kids to visit our campus
and learn about some of the possibilities that attending college can
offer. It’s also a great chance for our students to interact with
fifth graders in the role of hosts and mentors. It’s really a
win-win situation for everyone involved. We’re already looking
forward to next year.”
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