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Campus Review
October 10, 2013
Page 12
on computer gaming. “I also learned
about how to be effective in the class-
room. Although teachers make it look
easy, it’s not that easy.”
Conner Lewis (Locust Grove), a Clayton
State computer major who volunteered to
give a student session on Lego robotics,
also learned something.
“The hands-on aspect opens a lot of doors
for the future,” he explains. “It helps me
learn what I want to do as a computer sci-
ence major.”
Clayton State Assistant Professor of
Mathematics Dr. Scott Bailey understands
the benefits Clayton State students receive
from working with the middle schoolers.
“If they can explain it (to the Rex Mill stu-
dents), then they can get a better feel for
what they are learning, and they under-
stand a little more of what they’re getting
out of their education,” he said while tak-
ing a break from presiding over the com-
puter gaming session. “If a lot more of our
students could participate in this type of
program, it will make their education real
for them, and they’ll understand they’re
getting an education by doing this.”
The Rex Mill students were both enter-
tained and instructed with sessions on
computer gaming, Lego robotics and
inexpensive computing with Raspberry
Pi. Meanwhile, their parents had a chance
to learn in their own sessions with Roberts
(“Building a College-Bound Culture”),
Clayton State Director of Financial Aid
Pat Barton (“Financial Aid Planning”),
Recruitment and Admissions Counselor
Fatima Bey Stallworth (“Planning for
College Admission”) and Continuing
Education’s Tresha Miller (“Lifelong
Learning at Clayton State”).
“I learned there are some pretty dedicated
parents. They want to put in the efforts for
their children,” comments Clayton State
computer science major Cory Watson
(Riverdale), who volunteered in the par-
ent sessions.
Since the program targeted students with
an interest in the STEM (Science,
Technology, Engineering, Mathematics)
disciplines, it’s not surprising that the Rex
Mill students were excited by presenta-
tions on 3-D printers, games developed by
Clayton State students, the $40 Raspberry
Pi computer, and the Lego Robotics pro-
gram that Rex Mill will be participating in
at Clayton State early next year.
“When I heard what we would be doing, I
was really interested,” said seventh grader
Raja’nae Jeffcoat.
“I wanted to learn more about computers
and math,” added eighth grader James
McDaniel. Considering that the
University for Parents and Students is
designed to foster a “college-bound” cul-
ture, his teacher, Clayton State graduate
LeMon, was pleased to hear that he
already has his future planned.
“I’ve already made plans,” he said when
asked what he thought of this college
experience. “I want to be an engineer and
design computers and software.”
Although McDaniel has his plans laid out,
Hynes, in welcoming the visitors to
Clayton State, stressed the overall impor-
tance of getting the students and their par-
ents on to a college campus.
“It’s helpful to get rid of some of the fears
and mystery of college,” he said.
“The College of Information and
Mathematical Science’s partnership with
the middle schools targets students and
families in Clayton County by promoting
the importance and benefits of college and
career readiness, providing educational
resources for teachers, students, and fam-
ilies, and fostering a `college bound’ cul-
ture in the communities served by Clayton
State,” notes Roberts, who also welcomed
Lovejoy Middle School Principal April
Madden as an observer to the day’s
events. “The University for Parents and
Students is designed to move us closer to
achieving these goals for the benefit of the
children and families in the community.
We help make dreams real.”
“I believe that the ongoing exposure to the
campus culture makes college participa-
tion more accessible and success at col-
lege much more likely,” says Murner.
“CCPS’s Principals’ Partners Program
paired me with Dr. Lila Roberts, who is an
advocate for empowering students and
teachers of secondary education. It
occurred to me that if we could somehow
get our kids and their families to Clayton
State University for an event, that the idea
of postsecondary education would
become just a little bit less intimidating
for many of them. If they can see Clayton
State as more connected to K-12 educa-
tion, if they are able to perceive open
doors there, then perhaps that idea of a
family-friendly university might take
hold.
“We’re trying to show them where they
want to go, and give them a road map to
get there. It’s the power of place; we’re
showing them that college is not such a
strange place.”
Murner also noted the importance of the
parents’ role in the day.
“In addition, we want to offer as much
support as we can for parents to begin
thinking about pathways for colleges and
careers for their kids,” she explains. “Our
vision is to see these students and families
become excited towards college and
career engagement, especially in 21st
Century fields of work.”
As both Clayton State president, and a
first-in-his-family college graduate,
Hynes was able to tell the parents and stu-
dents the “secret” of learning and becom-
ing excited about college.
“Thanks for being here, I think you’ll
learn a lot,” he said in his opening
remarks. “Don’t be afraid to ask ques-
tions, it’s the way you get learning done.
You’ll find on a university campus that we
like questions.”
CIMS, cont’d. from p. 1