Virginia Tech® home

Hokie for a Day Expo

CENI invites Virginia Tech faculty, students, and student organizations to participate in a Hokie for a Day Expo. Hokie for a Day offers fifth grade students a unique opportunity to experience college life. The visit includes a discussion of college majors, a conversation about how to get to college, an expo with hands-on academic experiences from Virginia Tech faculty and students, lunch at an on-campus dining hall, and a chat with a student athlete.

Prepare an inspiring, five minute, hands-on experience for 10-12 fifth graders that can be repeated easily. The experience should fit on a tabletop or a 10’ x 10’ floor space.

Not at all. The purpose of this event is to help fifth graders learn about college, so any topic that is foundational to a college program of study is fair game here.

No. CENI will take care of coordination, image permissions, itineraries, bus driver instructions, chaperone instructions, expectations, evaluation, hosting, etc. All you have to do is show up with your experience.

Please arrive between 9:30 and 10:15 so you’ll be all set for the guests when they arrive.

Expos take about an hour plus any setup and breakdown time. Expos will happen on Wednesdays during the semester. Plan to arrive between 9:30 and 10:15 at the Moss Arts Center, Balcony Lobby (third floor). Expos begin about 10:45. You'll be at your table working with kids until 11:45. At 11:45, the fifth graders will reconvene and then leave for the bus. When the learners leave, your commitment is complete.

You’ll be working with 10 to 12 learners at a time, so it’s great to have some help. 

Five to six minutes, so not long at all. Your experience should be fast and inspiring. Groups of 10 to 12 fifth graders will rotate through the tables in 5- to 6-minute time slots. The learners have the option to come back to your table during their 15 to 20 minutes of free time at the end of the expo.

Sure. If you’ll be giving the learners something to take home, be sure there is a way for them to put their name on it. It should also not be breakable or hazardous.

No, not at all.

Bring at least 70 of anything you wish to hand out.

You’ll have a 6’ table with a plastic cover, as well as about 10’ x 10’ of floor space. There is power and wifi. Bathrooms are nearby. The space has a high ceiling and lots of sunlight.