ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Wednesday, May 1, 1996 TAG: 9605010019
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-6 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
DATELINE: DUBLIN
SOURCE: PAUL DELLINGER STAFF WRITER
Students in grades six through eight can now sign up for up to four 1 1/2-hour science classes to be held during the third week of June at the Southwest Virginia Governor's School.
They can choose among sessions in astronomy, computers, geology, physics, chemistry, math or wildlife ecosystems each day during the week of June 17-21.
The chemistry and wildlife ecosystems classes are $35 each. The others are $30.
Classes will run from 8:30 to 10 a.m., 10:15 to 11:45 a.m., 12:30 to 2 p.m., and 2:15 to 3:45 p.m., allowing participants to attend as many as four a day. The one exception is astronomy, which will be at 8:30 p.m. each night at the Wysor Observatory at Dublin Elementary School.
The registration deadline is May 15. Because of limits on class sizes, early registration is recommended.
Laura Long, a wildlife specialist with Ridgerunner Forestry Services of Floyd, will teach wildlife ecosystems. Classes will go outdoors to follow animal habitats, design a wildlife shelter, learn how deer populations survive in the wild, build nest boxes for owls and squirrels, and sample a pond for signs of wildlife.
Karen Kastning, an adjunct instructor at Radford University and New River Community College, will teach geology including a hands-on examination of minerals, rocks and other items, working with maps and visiting New River Valley sites spanning the last 500 million years of geologic history. A Dixie Caverns trip is available for an added fee.
Other instructors are from the Governor's School, which sponsors the program with New River Community College.
Robert Carlson will be the instructor for physical science, which includes calculating the speed of falling objects, using computers to analyze experiments, building electric circuits, and applying Newton's law of motion and collision to actual moving objects.
Chemistry classes taught by Libby Watts will use computers to test temperature, pH balances and chemical changes. Sherry Pugh will explore math topics in new ways, including the use of graphing calculators, puzzles, logic, algebra, probability and geometry.
Rick Fisher will teach computers, covering different programs and accessing the Internet, and astronomy. Because the astronomy classes are at night, parents are invited to attend with their children.
This is the second "Science in Motion" program. "We had 109 last year, and my goal is 150 students this year," said Debbie Douthat at New River. Further information is available by calling her at 674-3600, extension 292.
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