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John Daley ReportingWhat do you call 1,500 six graders let loose on a college campus? An education.
Natalie Porter, Riverside Elementary Sixth Grader: "It's awesome. You learn what to do in college and what you want to be or do, yeah."
The program, called "Project Youth", is all about education. Today, sixth graders from West Jordan's Riverside Elementary checked out the University of Utah campus, sitting in on science, math, dance and other classes.
Reporter: "What are you getting out of this whole day here at the U?"
Jeremy White, Riverside Elementary Sixth Grader: "That college can be really fun and interesting."
Students there were from Title One schools, where the majority come from lower-income families, a status that decreases the chances they will go to college. The goal is to expose them to higher education early on in hopes of motivating them to stay in school and plan for college.
Mary Jane Dibble, Univ. of Utah Senior: "You learn that there's so much more to college and that it's so important for your life. And it's great for the U students too because you get to know the kids. It's great and it's fun."
Plamen Brandt, Riverside Elementary Sixth Grader: "The teacher in the history class taught us that the most important thing you learn is college is about thinking about stuff. So thinking is good."
That's the idea!
The students finished their day with a "Power Rally" at the Huntsman Center and a keynote speech about the importance of a college education, given by our Nadine Wimmer.
