VCU to offer 2004 summer discovery program

By Malorie Burkett

RICHMOND, Va. – Virginia Commonwealth University’s Division of University Outreach has openings in the 2004 Summer Discovery Program for rising 6th, 7th and 8th grade students.

Designed for students who have interests in the arts, humanities and sciences, the weeklong program is made up of full day sessions utilizing VCU’s classrooms, laboratories and computers located on the university’s Academic Campus and at the VCU Medical Center.

Organizers for Summer Discovery say that each class is specialized and the projects are hands-on for the students who often work in teams and learn quickly to help each other with projects.

“This type of teamwork develops a kind of camaraderie among students in the classes that carries through to other parts of the week,” said Patricia Worley, program director for the VCU Summer Discovery Program. “It is really fun to see the evolution of friendships among groups of kids who on Monday morning didn't know each other but by Friday afternoon are exchanging phone and e-mail addresses and making plans to see each other long after Summer Discovery.”

Students who attend Summer Discovery meet students from other parts of the Richmond metropolitan area, such as Richmond and Henrico, Chesterfield and Hanover Counties. They also are taught by working artists, VCU faculty and other members of the community. The classes are small, and contain a maximum of 12 –14 students, which allows instructors to spend individual time with each student. 

Worley  says the program offers classes that are usually unique to a university-based program.  Some examples include the "Week in Health Care" and "Adventures in Engineering," where students are invited into labs and into situations that are available only to VCU students. Other examples are the Aquatic Ecology and Natural History classes, which use VCU's Rice Center as a classroom, studying fish ecology as well as developing collections of dragonflies and aquatic insects.

Other highlights for this years program will include mural painting; computer art; plaster casting; theater workshop; metal smithing basics; kiln-fired glass workshop; and advanced fashion design.

Tuition for the program is $140 per week, which also includes a materials and/or transportation fee. The first weeklong session begins Monday, June 21. New sessions will begin every Monday until July 26. The program will not be held during the week of July 5.

Course enrollment is ongoing and registrations will be accepted until a class reaches capacity. Organizers encourage those interested to register early because classes fill quickly and class sizes are limited. Upon registration, students will be asked to choose a morning class and an afternoon class or one that meets all day.

A limited number of partial one-week scholarships are available. Registrants are asked to send a letter to the address on the registration form describing circumstances that would hinder the parents’ ability to pay the cost of tuition.

For more information on the program, or to register, call Patricia Worley at 804.828.3635, or visit http://www.vcu.edu/outreach/sd.