Incoming seventh and eighth graders are invited to Indiana University Indianapolis this summer for Kids College.
Hosted by the IU Office of School Partnerships in collaboration with IU Indianapolis Office of Community Engagement and IU K-12 Student Success Corps, Kids College kicks off on June 9. The free two-week summer camp aims to introduce middle schoolers to college life, career exploration and personal development, according to a press release.
“We want students to see themselves as future college graduates and contributing citizens to society,” program manager Latosha Rowley said in a statement. “Kids College helps build that confidence and connection early by showing them how college can help them reach their career goals.”
Kids College is part of a statewide initiative funded by Lilly Endowment Inc.’s Indiana Youth Programs on Campus. It is aimed toward supporting students who may be the first in their family to go to college, qualify for 21st Century Scholars or come from communities that historically faced barriers to achieving higher education, according to a press release.
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IU Indianapolis’ Kids College will host students from urban public schools, such as Indianapolis Public Schools (IPS), Lawrence, Warren, Pike and Wayne Township districts, in addition to a variety of charter schools.
Throughout the program, campers will explore careers in public health, nursing, law, art, social work and technology through hands-on activities involving legal case studies, research projects, interactive art and technology sessions — including a lesson on surviving the zombie apocalypse, according to a press release. Students will also have the opportunity to gain further insights beyond the classroom through field trips to local landmarks, such as the NCAA Hall of Champions Headquarters and Indiana State Museum.
Kids College also features the Office of School Partnerships at IU’s Middle School Crew college readiness curriculum, which aims to help students prepare for the 21st Century Scholars Program and understand how to stay on track throughout middle and high school, according to a press release.
“Kids College exemplifies IU Indianapolis’ commitment to student success and community impact,” Rowley said. “It gives middle school students the opportunity to see how education can be a valuable tool for creating change in their own communities.”
Kids College takes place on weekdays from June 9-20, excluding June 19. For more information about registration, pick up and drop off, visit schoolpartnerships.iu.edu.
Contact Arts & Culture Reporter Chloe McGowan at 317-762-7848. Follow her on X @chloe_mcgowanxx.
Chloe McGowan is the Arts & Culture Reporter for the Indianapolis Recorder Newspaper. Originally from Columbus, OH, Chloe has a bachelor's in journalism from The Ohio State University. She is a former IndyStar Pulliam Fellow, and has previously worked for Indy Maven, The Lantern, and CityScene Media Group. In her free time, Chloe enjoys live theatre, reading, baking and keeping her plants alive.
