MTSU MTeach program manager Leigh McNeil, back, pushes MTeach master teacher Sally Millsap during a dry run Tuesday for the hovercraft bowling science activity that will be part of the MTSU/Murfeesboro City Schools Education Day event Thursday morning in Murphy Center. Homer Pittard campus School, which is owned by MTSU but part of Rutherford County Schools, also will participate. (MTSU photos by News and Media Relations)

More than 7,000 Murfreesboro City Schools’ students as well as students from the county’s Homer Pittard Campus School will be treated to science and math, an MTSU women’s basketball game and more Thursday, Dec. 12, during the second Education Day event in Murphy Center.

The MT women’s basketball/city schools partnership game will match the Raiders (5-3 and on a four-game winning streak) against visiting Kennesaw (Ga.) State University (1-6). Tip off will be at 11 a.m.

Joining this year’s Education Day event is Campus School, the longtime teaching laboratory school that sits on the western edge of the MTSU campus off Lytle Street. The K-5 school is owned by MTSU and operated by Rutherford County Schools.

Before, during and after the game, educational and fun activities will be held — some of which can be taken back to the students’ classrooms.

Leigh McNeil and Sally Millsap of the university’s MTeach program have planned a science-related hovercraft bowling activity. City schools’ teachers Herman Nelson of John Pittard Elementary School and Shaunta Rischer of Black Fox Elementary will be joined by two of their students for a unique bowling experience.

“We want to spark their curiosity, but we don’t just leave them hanging,” McNeil said. “We actually have activities for them to do back in their classroom to close that circle.”

McNeil and Millsap prepared a packet that will be distributed to 400 city schools’ teachers and to Campus School faculty Wednesday, Dec. 11. The packet includes a minihovercraft and questions teachers can use in the classroom, additional Internet resources and information about MTeach, a secondary mathematics and science teacher preparation program at MTSU.

MTSU’s Office of Admissions also is providing 8,000 “Let’s start thinking about college …” brochures, which also will be distributed to the city schools and Campus School Wednesday.

Activities during media time-outs will include “Christmas Wrap,” musical chairs, trivia questions, an “I am TrueBlue” puzzle and more. The musical chairs winner will earn their school a $300 gift card to Academy Sports.

Halftime will feature a mascot game, which will include MTSU’s Lightning, Kennesaw State’s Scrappy the Owl and several Murfreesboro City Schools’ and MT Athletics sponsors’ mascots.

Winners of a coloring contest, held in advance of the game, also will be announced during halftime.

The MTSU Office of Admissions’ colorful “Let’s start thinking about college …” brochure will be distributed to Homer Pittard Campus School and more than 8,000 Murfreesboro City Schools’ students Wednesday, Dec. 11. (MTSU photo by News and Media Relations)

MT Athletics is asking Blue Raider season ticket holders and fans to adjust their normal routine to ensure easier traffic flow and safety of the children, some of whom will be visiting a college campus for the first time.

Adjustments include:

• The Greenland parking lot will be designated for Murfreesboro City School buses and ADA parking only; and

• Parking for season ticket holders and Blue Raider Athletic Association members will be made available in the Woodfin lot on Greenland Drive and the Champion Way garage. A printable campus map can be found at http://tinyurl.com/MTSUParkingMap13-14.

For ticket information or questions about game-day parking, call 1-888-937-6878.

— Randy Weiler (Randy.Weiler@mtsu.edu)