http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wamc/local-wamc-923127.mp3
Albany, NY – ASTROBIOLOGY RESEARCH AND EDUCATION SERIES
EXXONMOBIL BERNARD HARRIS SUMMER SCIENCE CAMP
THEME: "QUEST FOR LIFE"
WINNING TEAM FOUR
RESEARCH PROJECT: "IS THERE LIFE ON EUROPA?"
Part Two: Field Trips, Project Judging, and Student Career Goals
The Bernard Harris Summer Science Camp is one of four signature educational programs of the Harris Foundation. Its aim? Make a difference in the lives of students in the U.S. These grassroots initiatives reach into some of the most economically disadvantaged schools in the country to give students hope for using education to move beyond their current environment.
Dr. Harris says, "It's rewarding to realize how many kids we can reach by providing a new and fun experience involving science while raising awareness about math and science careers."
At camp, students attend daily classes in natural science, engineering, mathematics, and technology. These are taught by professors of participating universities and secondary classroom teachers. Middle school students, working in teams of six, participate in interdisciplinary lab experiences that link physical and life sciences, math, engineering design, critical reading and writing, and community building
Last week, we focused mainly on the student's research project, "Is There Life on Europa?" This week, TBOOK speaks with participants about the important field trips and how they related to their research. We also find out about the detailed judging process for their projects, and hear an interesting variety of long-term career goals.
Glenn Busby reports. (17:57)
PARTICIPANTS IN THE ABOVE STORY INCLUDE:
Dr. Cynthia Smith, Asst. Dean of Students, RPI, and Camp Director
Seamus Hodgkinson, Science Teacher
Eli Miller, 5th grade, Parker School
Rayman Alli, 6th grade, Yates Magnet School
Elaine Santos, 6th grade, Farnsworth Middle School
Devannie Simpson, 7th grade, Doyle Middle School
Kevin Palmateer, 7th grade, Knickerbacker Middle School
The preceding is made possible by the NASA Astrobiology Institute, through support of the New York Center for Astrobiology, located at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute - in partnership with the University at Albany, the University of Arizona, and Syracuse University.
**(For listeners seeking more information about the Harris Foundation mentioned in the story above, please visit their website at: www.theharrisfoundation.org
For additional information about this story, or any of the other more than 160 stories featured in this current exclusive Astrobiology series and our past Origins of Life radio series, or if you would like to hear them again via your computer, the website given at the conclusion of the above segment is: www.origins.rpi.edu.)**
THE ACADEMIC MINUTE
"SOLAR ECLIPSES" -
This week's episode features Dr. Jay Pasachoff, Field Memorial Professor of Astronomy, Williams College, Williamstown, Massachusetts.
The Academic Minute is hosted by Dr. Lynn Pasquerella, a celebrated philosopher and medical ethicist, and President of Mount Holyoke College. (2:30)