Elementary students to visit Trine
ANGOLA — More than 1,400 elementary school students and guests from LaGrange and Steuben counties will take part in the annual “Walk into My Future” event from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 22, on the Trine University campus.
The event includes first- through third-graders from the Metropolitan School District of Steuben County, Fremont Community Schools and Hamilton Community Schools; and second-graders from Westview Community Schools, Lakeland Community Schools and Prairie Heights Community Schools. This is the third year LaGrange County schools have participated in the event and the second year for Steuben County schools.
“Walk into My Future” gives elementary students a brief introduction to college and encourages family funding for a CollegeChoice 529 Direct Savings Plan. The event is part of the Promise Indiana initiative launched in 2013 that now incorporates a number of Indiana counties. The initiative starts the conversation in kindergarten about post-secondary education and careers, so from an early age students learn what is possible for the future.
Students will have the opportunity to interact with members of the Trine community as they move through stations that Trine’s schools and departments will host and demonstrate. Stations that will be available include:
• Civil Engineering: Students will compete to build the strongest structure using large building blocks.
• Mechanical Engineering: After a quick demonstration of things that sink and things that float, students will mold a clay ship and test its seaworthiness.
• English as a Second Language/Office of International Student Services: Students will be grouped into four country groups (India, Saudi Arabia, Japan, and China) and will learn how to count in that country’s language. They will then compete in an Olympic-themed event using their new skill.
• Rinker-Ross School of Health Sciences: Students will learn about the nutrition density of healthy food versus fast food by running a relay race with items representing both types of food.
• Music: Students will have the opportunity to experience what it is like to be a part of a marching band.
• Psychology: Students will interact with Trine psychology majors in activities, one of which will include a chance to interact with a therapy dog.
• Golf Management: Students will learn how to properly hit a golf ball and the mechanics of a good swing.
• Ketner School of Business: Students will learn how to be an entrepreneur by participating in the set-up of a small business.
• Humanities and Communication: Trine Communication majors enrolled in the Event Planning course will lead the elementary students in a version of the “telephone game” that will help illustrate the different ways people communicate with one another.
• Franks School of Education: Trine education students will develop individual activities to foster interaction between pre-service teachers and the elementary students.
