Hundreds of area middle and high school students flocked N.C. A&T to participate in PCI Day or Pre-College Initiative Day on Feb. 20.

PCI Day is a program sponsored by A&T’s chapter of National Society of Black Engineers. More than 300 students were in attendance.

The PCI Day was part of a series of events for Engineers Week sponsored by the engineering school. This program is a focus of the National Society of Black Engineers’ effort to promote college, academics, technology, and leadership to pre-college students. The primary focus is encouraging students in grades 6-12 to develop interest and skills in math and science.

Students registered from Dudley High School, Harriston Middle School, Allen Middle School and Aycock High School, to name a few. The students began their morning in McNair Auditorium, receiving an introduction to college life. From there students moved to workshops and demonstrations hosted by the engineering department.

Students visited the materials testing lab in the IRC Building, as well as, put their creative skills to the test in a catapults competition. In this competition students where given spoons, cups and wooden sticks to build a catapult. The object of this event was to see whose catapult would launch the farthest.

Kemet Scott, a seventh grader from Harriston Middle School, said he enjoyed PCI Day. “I liked when they showed how they make key chains using plastic bottles.”

Students visited the chemical processing lab and saw how liquids are filtered to pure liquids. PCI students took a walking tour of A&T’s campus. For many students, this was their first time on a college campus. The tour ended with a sit-down lunch and a student’s panel. This panel featured nine A&T students from a variety of majors. Students answered questions dealing with a variety of topics that affect college students, from how is dorm life, to the effects of attending an HBCUs.

Students were entertained with a taste of college life when the men of the Beta Epsilon chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. performed.

Jeanine Harris, NSBE’s PCI Committee and PCI day chair, said she was overwhelmed. “People registered late, but because of the help from Mr. Alfred, and Mrs. Dennis we pulled through and the day was successful,” Harris said.

Harris was also thankful for the large donation from Procter & Gamble, and to the many volunteers who came out and helped.