Southern Illinois University Carbondale will host more than 300 high school students who plan to study education for a day filled with interactive activities and sessions during the Education Day celebration on Tuesday, Oct. 29, at the Student Center.
Education Day is one component of the university’s multifaceted response to the ongoing teacher shortage.
Participants from dozens of schools will enjoy a variety of fun, educational, hands-on sessions. More than 30 offerings cover a wide range of topics, and each high school student can select three sessions to attend. The innovative workshops include such titles as “Welcome to the Imagination Lab,” “Origami Math Art,” “Sunshine and Superheroes,” “The Adventure of Teaching in Alaska” and “Fun with 4-H.”
One of the day’s highlights will be the midday resource fair during which more than two dozen SIU departments, units and education-focused organizations will share information and chat with students, open-house style, in the International Lounge.
Students from Anna-Jonesboro, Carbondale, Carrier Mills-Stonefort, Carterville, Century, Cobden, Crab Orchard, Du Quoin, Egyptian, Gallatin County, Goreville, Harrisburg, Herrin, Johnston City, Marion, Meridian, Pinckneyville, Shawnee, Vienna and West Frankfort high schools have registered to attend.
SIU’s School of Education and the Southern Illinois Future Teachers Coalition (SIFTC) are the sponsors of Education Day. SIFTC is a grant-funded partnership comprising SIU, the Illinois State Board of Education, John A. Logan College, Shawnee Community College and 25 high schools from the Southern Illinois region. SIFTC is instrumental in the creation and support of Educators Rising clubs within the participating high schools for students who are interested in pursuing careers in education.
Media Advisory
Reporters, photographers and video crews are welcome to cover Education Day 2024, which begins with a welcome at 9:15 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 29, and wraps up at 2 p.m. The most opportune time to obtain videos, photos and stories is during the resource fair, which takes place in the International Lounge on the second floor of the Student Center 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
For more information about SIU Education Day or to pursue other story opportunities, contact Maeve Kirk, recruitment and retention coordinator, at maeve.kirk@siu.edu or 618-453-6350.
