CTC shows off upcoming College For Kids program

By MIKE BARTOSZEK

Cove Leader-Press

College isn’t just for adults, at least not at Central Texas College, in fact it’s for kids. Robotics, fashion design, art, music, sign language, and theatre are a few of the classes available for those too young to have their high school diploma, all through CTC’s College for Kids program.

“College for Kids is a children's enrichment program with the goal to get kids on campus to get them to see college” said Jocelyn Larkin, Coordinator for Community Programs at Central Texas College, “We want to give them a taste of science, careers, art and math and other STEAM courses and to get people back on campus.”

During the College for Kids preview event at CTC, classrooms were opened and the public was invited out to meet instructors, get a little hands on with demonstrations, and learn more about what other programs are offered.

“Today is an annual event that we do where the community is invited out to meet instructors and try out activities that will introduce them to some of the content that is offered in the classes,” Larkin explained. “We have several classes like Theatre for young kids, American Sign Language, Spanish, coding, robots and even a fashion design class to offer a wide variety of activities for all kids.”

In the fashion design room, several would-be-students had the chance to get hands on choosing from piles of colored and patterned cloth to pin on manikins in their attempt to create an outfit.

Nine-year-old Ella Stutz took the class last year and described her favorite moment.

“My favorite part was when used one my mom’s old shirts that had a pattern that I really liked and turned it into a shirt that I really loved.”

Still exploring, young Ella said she was suffering from a terrible bout of writer’s block and might not take the fashion design class again this summer.

“I’m not sure if I’m going to take fashion design again, I might try art this year. I’m looking forward to getting rid of my writer’s block. I’ve been trying to draw but it just goes away as soon as I start.”

“Our enrollments have been on the rise post Covid,” Larking said. “Last year we served almost 300 students in classes.”

While the bulk of College for Kids courses take place in the summer when they get an influx of teachers from the local school districts offering summer courses, Larkin said that they do offer some classes all year.

“This past year we were able to offer multimedia arts for elementary through high school students outside of summer. We also continue to offer some classes all year to target homeschool students and help them with earning their credits.”

Larkin also said that she would love to hear from more instructors looking to host classes.

“I’m always looking for passionate quality instructors. If you're interested in helping us grow this program email continue.education@ctcd.edu and let us know a little bit about your course and then we can start to work on your proposal.”

The College for Kids preview day ended with a car show, judged by kids, where the winner of the show donated $100 for a student to take any class offered.