Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, July 7, 1995 TAG: 9507070054
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JOEL TURNER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Fifth-grader Robby Hughes is learning how to use a video camera and computer to make a video for his classmates.
Michele Hamilton, a seventh-grader, is recording commercials and songs on cassettes and scripting a radio program.
Joseph Delp, a sixth-grader, has designed a model bridge and learned how to test it for structural integrity.
These children are serious about learning - even during the summer, when most of their classmates are taking a break from studies.
Some are paying more than $200 to attend a four-week program that allows them to sample the magnet courses offered by the Roanoke school system.
They get up early: Classes are from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Some come from Blacksburg, Rocky Mount, Boones Mill and other places outside the Roanoke Valley.
The school system provides bus service for children who live in Roanoke.
Tuition is $170 for Roanoke children and $210 for those outside the city. The school system has some scholarships for city students who need financial assistance.
The children said they are having fun as they learn more about technology and the arts. They don't consider it school. And in one way, it's not: There are no tests, grades or homework.
"It's more educational than regular school. You get hands-on experience. You learn more about computers and other things," said Chris, 11, a student at Addison Middle School.
"I like working with computers. I thought it would be neat to go to school in the summer," said Robby, who attends Boones Mill Elementary School.
The program, an extension of the city's magnet program, has two divisions - tech camp and art world.
Tech camp students (rising fourth- through 10th-graders) explore technology, including simulated space missions, robotics, satellite communications and engineering.
In art world (for rising second- through ninth-graders), children can study dance, drama, instrumental and vocal music.
Ninety-nine children are enrolled - 55 in tech camp, 44 in art world.
The summer program is open to students in the regular magnet program as well as those who are not.
"It is an opportunity for all students to get a taste of all the technology that is offered in city schools," said Sandra Burks, interim director of the city's magnet program.
Burks said the children also can get a sample of the different magnet schools.
In the tech camp program, the children spend one week at each of four schools - Addison Aerospace Magnet School, Fairview World of Plants and Animals, Forest Park New American School and Ruffner Magnet School.
The art program is held in the studios at Ruffner. The children in the art classes display their talents in a stage production at the end of the four-week session.
Rudy Dillard, a magnet teacher at Ruffner, said he tries to let the children have some fun while they are learning more about technology.
Dillard assigns students to a different technology station or module daily - such as audio communications, computer graphics, computer-aided drafting, video production and laser technology - so they can learn about each area.
"It is supposed to be an exploration. The kids get introduced to everything," Dillard said.
The children like that approach, too.
"You get to build a lot of different things. You learn how things work," said Jonah Starr, an eighth-grader at Cave Spring Junior High School.
"You learn a lot about computers. And you get to build model cars, bridges, rockets and other things," said Matthew Hendrick, an eighth-grader at Breckinridge Middle School.
"It gives me something to do. There is something different almost every day," Matthew said.
Sarah Lee, a seventh-grader at Ruffner, said she wanted to attend the summer program because she was in the magnet program at Westside Elementary School.
Jessica Hayden, a seventh-grader at Breckinridge, said the summer program helps students keep abreast of the latest developments in educational technology.
"You learn what is happening in computers so you can keep up with what's going on," Jessica said.
by CNB