Antelope Valley College (AVC) will host its sixth annual “I’m Going to College” program for fourth- and fifth-grade students on Aug. 4, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The one-day program is designed to help students gain a better understanding of the opportunities that higher education can offer by promoting college as an attainable goal.

During the program, children and parents will attend interactive college-readiness workshops including, “College 411” and “College Cash,” where they learn college concepts, such as majors and minors, and how to prepare financially for college.

Members of the community will put on presentations about their careers and educational background so that students can understand how college connects to future career options. In previous years, the event hosted professionals in various fields including finance, green energy, art, automotive technology, animal health care, the fire department, and police force.

A resource fair will be held between workshops, and will provide students and parents with information from different organizations on how pupils can get involved in their community through joining service organizations in the area and school clubs. The resource fair will also give participants an opportunity to speak with representatives from many four-year universities.

According to Michelle Herandez, director of student activities and community outreach at AVC, research has found that fourth grade is the pivotal time where students show whether they are good students and whether they are going to college. The purpose of “I’m Going to College” is to catch the students at this age and instill in them the necessity of higher education.

This event is open to all fourth- and fifth-grade students in the Antelope Valley. Participants must bring one parent to attend with them, and must register by July 19 at www.avc.edu/studentservices/infowelcome.