Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, July 9, 1993 TAG: 9307090019
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: LESLIE TAYLOR STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
They shout. They laugh. They marvel at their abilities.
Ken Jacobs beams.
This is real science. No test tubes billowing with fizzing chemicals. No spectacular whiz-bang experiments.
"What these kids need is the real stuff," said Jacobs, associate professor of physics and astronomy. "It's much more effective than faking it."
For two weeks this summer, high school students from around the country have invaded the Hollins campus to revel in math and science. The students - all girls - are taking part in a program called "Hollinscience," developed specifically to steer girls toward areas of study, and eventually careers, where women's presence is lacking.
ITT, Appalachian Power Co. and Ingersoll-Rand have lent corporate support, both financially and through employee presentations and plant tours. The $250 Hollinscience tuition is subsidized by grants from the three companies, this year totaling $18,250.
"The whole reason . . . is to recognize that there is no biological reason why women can't make excellent scientists and engineers," said Richard B. Lewis, an ITT executive who helped develop the program four years ago.
"A lot of it is being deprived of exposure to science and engineering in normal education. A program such as Hollinscience may convince some of the young women to pursue [math and science] as a career."
Participants are recruited through their high schools. Selection is based on the student's interest in science and math, her transcripts, a short essay and a recommendation by a guidance counselor or sciences teacher.
Grades are a factor. But intentionally, not all who are selected are straight-A students, Jacobs says.
"We don't want a bunch of 4.0's, who'll be going to MIT anyway," he said. "It's the next tier, the second tier of students that we're concerned with."
There are 30 in this year's group, hailing from as close as North Roanoke County to as far as Dallas. Their session started June 27 and ends today.
Stephanie Middlebrough, from Connecticut, applied to the program out of interest in biology. For the rising high school senior, Hollinscience brought life to topics that had been the subjects of class lecture.
"In school, we only talk about it," said Stephanie, who wants to become a biology professor. "Here, we're doing it."
The program offers intense study in astronomy, biochemistry, chemistry, computer science, mathematics and physics. Moreover, the program shows students how to apply math to the sciences.
"When they learn math, they wonder, `What is it good for?' " said Patricia Hammer, an assistant professor of mathematics. "We work what they've learned in math with chemistry and physics. They're able to put ideas together to see how they interact."
Participants also get a taste of college life. They stay at Tinker House, the college's largest residence hall. Workshops are conducted to assist students in understanding college admissions and the college selection process. There also are multicultural programs and seminars on making career choices and building self-esteem.
The program started in 1989 to encourage minority high school girls to pursue math and science. Beginning last year, the program was opened to all students.
"Some people thought it might be better to mix everyone up," Jacobs said. "Last year, we had about 30 percent white. This time, it's closer to 50 percent."
Jacobs said he does not intend for the percentage of white participants to rise much above that.
"Now it's women but heavily weighed toward minorities," he said. "Why flip and go the other way?"
Whether the program succeeds in its intent has been difficult to track.
"We do know that almost all participants go on to college," Jacobs said. Most who do have pursued studies in science, engineering and pre-med, he said.
by CNB