Bridges to College
Greenville, Ansonia sixth graders visit Edison Community College 

Greenville and Ansonia sixth-graders learned about college recently when they visited Edison Community College in Piqua.

The trip was coordinated by Bridges to College, a non-profit organization that helps students go to college by offering college awareness programming, one-on-one mentoring and need-based scholarships.

“We take the sixth-graders on a college trip because we want them to begin thinking about careers and the education that is required for their chosen careers,” explained Beth Sears, executive director of Bridges to College.

Prior to visiting Edison Community College, Stacey Bean and Amber Selhorst, from the Edison admissions office, visited the sixth-graders and discussed college with the students.

When the students arrived on campus on Friday, March 13, they attended two or three classroom sessions offered by the Edison staff. Some of the topics covered included College 101, Crime Scene Investigation, Business is Our Game, Office Administration, Physics FUN, Engineering Robotics, Math FUN, Physical Therapy Assisting, Hot Technologies, English FUN, and Dr. Bones Laboratory.

Many of the students experienced hands-on learning. For instance, in the engineering robotics session, the students operated robots; in the physical therapy assisting session, they performed some exercises a patient might; in the math session, they made tri-hexaflexagons; and in the English class, they created poems.

“We really appreciate the Edison staff and faculty organizing this event for the students,” Sears said.

Bridges to College serves students in the Greenville and Ansonia school districts. In the past few years, it has expanded its programming to include younger students, including students in grades two and six.

“We want students to understand what college is,” Sears said. “Oftentimes, what a student does in school before entering high school impacts their college choices.”

A grant from the Harry D. Stephens Memorial helped pay for the Greenville students to travel to Edison.