Oct. 10, 2002

EAST LANSING, Mich. - Michigan State University will host WIGU (When I Grow Up) on Tuesday, December 3, 2002, in conjunction with the women's basketball game vs. Kent State at noon. At the event, fourth and fifth grade students from the area will learn about the importance of education and career choices. The University is partnering on this event with the intermediate school districts from Clinton, Eaton, and Ingham counties, along with Career Connections and Michigan Works.

The goal is to fill the 14,759-seat Breslin Center, and thus far, more than 60 of the approximately 100 elementary schools in the area have responded that they will be attending. With an anticipated 9,000 students and 4,000 teachers, parents, season ticket holders, and guests, MSU officials are optimistic about achieving the goal.

The students will arrive at 11:00 a.m. and depart at 2:00 p.m. Pre-game, timeout, halftime, and post-game activities will be coordinated with the following educational messages:

·	Messages that describe career goals for students.
·	The activities that must be completed in order to achieve those career goals.
·	The importance of education in the process to achieve those goals.

The positive impact of the public school systems in the mid-Michigan area will be presented by the following methods:

·	Videotaped messages about career goals of 4th and 5th graders taped in advance
 (i.e., "When I Grow Up, I Want to be a Veterinarian").
·	The students' messages will be followed by a videotaped message by a professional
 (i.e., veterinarian in a working environment) briefly describing what it takes to get started
 in the career (i.e., schooling).
·	Interviews with children & live "mentor" people on the floor and in the stands.
·	Games and contests on the floor related to career path thinking.
·	A keynote speaker at halftime.

Some of the logistics for the event include:

·	School districts will provide bus transportation with coordinated campus parking.
·	Children will be allowed to bring a bag lunch or purchase a discount concessions
 coupon in advance ($3).
·	Each student will receive, from MSU Athletics, lanyards with identification
 information including: child's name, seating area; school; bus number; and teacher's name
·	Reserved seating sections would be assigned by school (with seating in balcony and
 lower bowl for every school)
·	MSU Athletics would involve Sparty, MSU band, and cheerleaders in event programming
·	Pre-Game Parade of Schools

In the elementary student's educational process, career development is becoming an increasingly important component. A career focus can be fun, rewarding, and is imperative if our youngsters are going to become the professionals of tomorrow. WIGU offers fresh and inviting activities that expand career awareness for elementary students. They learn about their interests and many kinds of work environments. A multimedia presentation will be aimed to spark students' curiosity and invite them to explore a variety of careers.