Middle School Partnerships
Breakfast of Science Champions
Ohio State Spring Visit
As research done here and elsewhere shows, middle school is a prime time for students to begin to think not only about possible careers but also about college aspirations. For example, the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators and the Education Resources Institute reports "A study by the Higher Education Information Center (Boston, MA) found that 8th graders participating in early awareness program were significantly more likely to plan to take college prep courses in high school than students who did not participate." The ACT Policy Report "College Readiness Begins in Middle School" recommends "To ensure that students have ample time to consider and explore their postsecondary education and career options, college readiness activities should begin in the middle school and be reinforced throughout the high school years." in the State of Ohio, exploring careers is a part of the eighth grade curriculum.
Our interdisciplinary series of middle school visits serve as a central set of early awareness activities that can connect with efforts of middle school curricula and with state and national efforts to raise college aspirations. In particular, Ohio State Middle School Visits contribute to two of Ohio State’s own goals:
- A focus on opening access to college through helping students learn about opportunities as illustrated through the establishment of the Office of Economic Access
- An increased focus on introducing students to STEM fields (Office of Academic Affairs Priorities for 2007-2008 )
GOALS: These visits not only bring students to see the campus, an historical method of introducing students to college, but these visits are conducted in the context of an academic learning experience, something our school partners particularly prize. Students who visit the Byrd Polar Research Center learn science about global warming; students who attend an archeology workshop learn how archeologists determine the shape and use of tools based on broken pieces.
Students also learn about careers by observing and talking with practicing humanities and social science faculty, scientists, and artists. Students who work with faculty from the Department of History learn what it is to be an historian; students who visit the College of Engineering see engineers and the products they create.
Middle School Visit Programs Across Campus
CCS Baseball Day
Future Engineers Summer Camp
Minority Engineering Pre-College Programs
P-12 Project Database
