Fun-filled, hands-on activities await Northwoods 9th and 10th graders enrolling in any one of three upcoming Pre-College Academies at Nicolet College.

“Everything will be designed around hands-on activities that are fun for students,” said Susan Kordula, academy coordinator and director of Admissions and PK-16 Pathways at Nicolet College. “They’ll learn a wide variety of skills that will help them succeed in high school and also be better prepared academically when they start college. It’s also a great way for students to explore careers in these fields.”

Each Academy will be held over five consecutive Saturdays this coming fall and winter on the Nicolet College Campus just south of Rhinelander. One Academy will cover environmental science, another engineering, and the third health occupations.

The Environmental Science Academy will take place from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Saturdays, Sept. 22, 29, Oct. 6, 13 and 20.

Working in small teams, students will learn about and collect invasive species, sample water quality, watch scientists shock a stream to analyze fish populations, and shoot video of the above activities. Students will then produce a digital video on how to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species in the Northwoods. In the process students will learn about science careers and develop their skills in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM).

The Engineering Academy will take place from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Saturdays, Jan. 26, Feb. 2, 9, 16 and 23

Students in the Engineering Academy will learn the engineering design process to define, build, and test solutions to a variety of engineering problems. Projects will teach students how to apply math and science skills and demonstrate the importance of communication when working as an engineer. Careers they’ll explore include those in the aerospace, electrical, manufacturing, architectural and mechanical engineering fields.

The Health Sciences Academy will take place from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Saturdays, Jan. 26, Feb. 2, 9, 16 and 23.

Those in the Health Occupations Academy will learn about and get to practice a wide variety of basic medical procedures on Nicolet’s new, high-tech patient simulator known as Meti-Man. This state-of-the-art, computerized mannequin can re-create hundreds of medical scenarios. Students will use critical thinking skills to work through different medical situations in a safe learning environment.

Tuition for each academy is $487; however, a grant from the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction will cover all tuition costs for students who are eligible for free and reduced lunch.

Nicolet will provide transportation to and from campus from various community meeting points in the Northwoods.

For more information on any of the Academies listed below, call Nicolet College’s PK-16 Pathways office at (715) 365-4464 or (800) 544-3039, ext. 4464; or email inquire@nicoletcollege.edu.