Leaning over a microscope, 17-year-old Armu­chee High School junior Austin Adams inspected the threads of an illuminated counterfeit bill at an informational booth. He said it was easy to tell the note was a fake and is currently considering a career in criminal justice.

“I think it’d be nifty to help out the community,” Adams said.

More than 700 county and city high school students toured various departments of the Floyd County campus of Georgia Northwestern Technical College on Wednesday, Feb. 1, for the fourth annual College Day.

Students went through an orientation before embarking on a self-guided tour through the campus, pausing to look in on lessons and demonstrations.

Beside a fire engine in the parking lot, GNTC fire science students helped high schoolers into firefighting equipment. Rome senior Laura Blanco, 18, carefully walked around in a large neon green vapor suit.

“The breathing thing was really cool,” Blanco said. “It was really heavy. I don’t know how they could do that.”

David McBurnett, director of student affairs, said it was a big day to showcase the variety of departments to prospective students and the event has been very successful for the school.

“When they actually come and see the programs it makes a big difference,” McBurnett said.

Other highlighted programs included construction management, aviation, welding and neuromuscular study.

Surrounded by model human skeletons, GNTC student Curtisha Thompson worked clay into resembling muscle fibers as she attached them to bones and explained her experiences to curious onlookers.

McBurnett said the opportunity to watch GNTC students work is an important part of inspiring high schoolers to consider continuing their education at the college.

“It’s hard work to be a student here, but it’s also a lot of fun,” said McBurnett.