The significance of a secondary education today is no secret. According to the Pew Research Center, millennials from age 25-32 who hold a Bachelor’s degree have an unemployment rate of just 3.8%. The unemployment rate for young adults with only a high school diploma spikes to 12.2%. Additionally, of these populations, Bachelor’s degree holders account for just 5.8% of the nation’s poverty population while high school diploma holders account for an astounding 21.8%. Today’s youth needs a college education more than ever. Without it, their economic outlook is grim and opportunities will decrease.

This fall, the brothers of Phi Delta Theta and sisters of Kappa Alpha Theta at the University of Maryland hosted a “Phield Day” for the kids. The two chapters partnered with Hyattsville Elementary School and created a mission to help bridge the gap between local grade-school students and degree-seeking undergraduates with a day of fun, learning and motivation. The two chapters hope to increase the young students’ knowledge of what it is like to attend college and the opportunities that come along with it. In turn, they hope that this knowledge will create motivation to strive for excellence and a college degree.

Phield Day achieved many of its goals to motivate the fifth grade students of Hyattsville Elementary School. Members of the two chapters facilitated and actively participated with the students in activities such as:

• A book reading and signing by local famous author Katy Kelly
• A science experiment conducted by the Mad Science Show®
• A goal setting arts and crafts project featuring “When I get to college I want to study…”
• A time for active play with a moon bounce and University of Maryland varsity athletes
• A picnic lunch with free and open conversations in order to get first hand insight into the life of a collegiate scholar

Each student from Hyattsville Elementary took home a signed book, slime from their science experiment, their arts and crafts project, a Phield Day t-shirt and many great memories.

Phi Delta Theta and Kappa Alpha Theta at Maryland believe that Phield Day is an event that can positively affect the future of a young child. The brothers of Maryland Alpha hope to continue to have an impact on the youth in the surrounding community. The chapter would like the thank the sisters of Kappa Alpha Theta and all other supporters for helping to make this great event a reality.