ACTIVATING YOUNG MINDS AT ACTIVATE ACADEMY
Forty-six rising ninth graders from Florence school districts 1, 2, 3 and 4 attended the fifth annual Activate Academy at Francis Marion University from July 22-25, 2019.
Sponsored by the Center of Excellence for College and Career Readiness and Francis Marion University, Activate Academy is a 4 day, 3 night event designed to encourage, inspire, and “activate” curiosity in these students and start them thinking about high school, college, and careers. Students spend their days with local teachers and FMU professors and stay in the college dorms at night. Activities include a Q & A panel with former Activate Academy alumni and current college students.
This year featured our first partnership and activity with the Charlotte Motor Speedway’s educational program. Activate campers navigated through hands-on stations to learn how motorsports relate to core STEM principles. The day ended with students embarking on a thrilling ride around the NASCAR speedway track that demonstrated what they had learned in a practical, highly fun way.
One of the most popular activities was the Mad Money simulation where campers were “transformed” into adults with jobs, debt, families, and real world responsibilities. Students learned how making sound financial choices will directly affect their life. Activate students also participated in a career placement survey regarding personal interests with the results leading them to three possible career options. Campers were then able to choose a career and work with others in a group to research that career path and what they need to do in high school to start on that path. Students then recorded their results on a video that they presented to their parents and peers at the end of Activate Academy. And of course, the kids also loved their free time, enjoying movie nights with the Resident Assistants and the University Center’s indoor swimming pool and sports.
The week was capped off with a Celebration Reception where the parents met the teachers and facilitators that spent the week with their children. Dr. Fred Carter, President of Francis Marion University, spoke a few words to the students and parents, encouraging the students to stay focused on making good grades and attending college.
