Registration begins for VCU ‘Summer Discovery’ program

By Lissette Linares

RICHMOND, Va. — Creating one-of-a-kind art work, from fashion designs, jewelry, and art, or exploring the ecology of Virginia’s water by studying energy flow and food webs are among the courses offered during Virginia Commonwealth University’s "Summer Discovery 2000." Registration is now open for the series of 29 weeklong programs.

Now in its tenth year, Summer Discovery is designed for rising sixth-, seventh- and eighth-graders who have an interest in the arts, humanities and sciences. Courses will be held on both VCU campuses, using the university’s medical laboratories, computers and classrooms. Field trips planned for certain courses will enhance the learning experience.

Some featured programs this year include "Exploring Health Care," which allows students to spend a week with a medical student on VCU’s Medical College of Virginia campus. Through hands-on laboratory experiences, hospital tours and interaction with professional in various health-care fields, students will learn about the challenges and rewards of a career in health care. In another course, students will visit a Virginia river examining aquatic ecosystems and fossil remains of extinct aquatic organisms, and developing skills in biomonitoring and fish observation.

Classes begin June 19 and run through July 24. Students must attend class all day or choose a combination of a morning class, from 9 a.m.-noon, and an afternoon class, from 12:30-3:30 p.m. Class sizes are limited and registration is accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. A supervised one-hour swim in VCU’s pool is planned for the end of each day.

Registration deadlines are June 5 for June classes and June 19 for July classes. The tuition cost of the program is $120 per week, with some courses requiring additional material and transportation fees. Some partial scholarships are available. For details, call Patricia Worley, program coordinator at (804) 828-1831.