Sept. 8, 2002 – It's only one Saturday a month. But what a lot of ideas, information, and experiences will be packed into those Saturdays for junior and senior high school students who register by Sept. 14 for the University of the Virgin Islands Science Awareness Saturday Academies and Mentoring Program.
The academies have sessions for junior and for senior high students with an interest in science or math, or who plan a career in a related field. Both the junior and senior academies will be held on St. Thomas and on St. Croix, the junior high from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. and the senior high from noon to 3 p.m. Saturdays from September through May.
The mentoring component utilizes UVI science and math majors to assist the Saturday students with assignments, poster and oral presentations; share career information; and take students to a college class.
In addition to intensive sessions on particular disciplines such as biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics and engineering, there will be field trips – to the hospital to learn about health careers, to the agricultural fair to learn about agricultural engineering, to the computer lab, maybe a hike to Brewers Bay during the biology session.
All sessions are led or chaperoned by scientists from UVI or from the community, and the students' teachers and school coordinators help with recruiting and assist students in homework and projects.
The program, sponsored by UVI's Division of Science and Mathematics, UVI's National Science foundation programs, UVI's Health Careers Opportunities Program and the National Aeronautic and Space Administration, has been going on for a number of years. The poster presentations that close out the program show an impressive accumulation of knowledge, understanding, and enthusiasm on the part of attending students.
Applications are available from school counselors and science and mathematics teachers or by calling 693-1232.
A student and parent orientation will be held at 11 a.m. Sept. 21. On St. Thomas it will be in the Chase Auditorium (Business building room 110), and on St. Croix in the Theater (EC/401).
For more information contact Outreach Coordinator Dr. Rosenid Hernandez-Badia at 693-1232 or by e-mail at rhernan@uvi.edu.
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