THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, July 8, 1995 TAG: 9507080390
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JAMES SCHULTZ, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: WILLIAMSBURG LENGTH: Medium: 95 lines
Sitting in the very front of Busch Gardens' Big Bad Wolf roller coaster, Sunny Tsang got first shot at every one of the belly-wrenching sensations the ride produces. As the coaster pulled back to its station, the 13-year-old appeared both amazed and dazed.
``I want to do that again, man!'' exclaimed Tsang, who will be a freshman at Norfolk's Lake Taylor High School in the fall. ``I didn't even count. I was just . . . ''
Muted by the Wolf's ferocity, Tsang could only shake his head. It looked like his lesson in amusement-park physics would have to wait for another go-round.
Tsang was one of 50 Norfolk middle-schoolers who came to Williamsburg on Friday for an object lesson in applied science. The youngsters, participants in a program called Learning Bridge, were capping a three-day visit to the Peninsula that included activities on Wednesday and Thursday at the nuclear physics research complex in Newport News known as the Continuous Electron Beam Accelerator Facility, or CEBAF.
At Busch Gardens, the students held thin cylindrical devices, known as accelerometers, in their hands as they rode several of the park's rides. The goal was to tie the theories behind such physical forces as gravity to personal thrills and chills.
``Talk is one thing. Doing is another,'' said Stephen Gagnon, one of two CEBAF instructors who accompanied Learning Bridge staff members and students to the theme park. ``This is really hands-on physics. The whole reason the rides don't fly apart and kill you is because the engineers took the time to calculate the physics and then integrate it into the design.''
The Busch Gardens science excursion is one way Learning Bridge hopes to keep the academic fires stoked in academically gifted or talented students who, for one reason or another, are at risk of having their passion for education flame out.
The program, in its third year, consists of special instruction during the school year and a six-week summer session for all subject areas - including those of individual interest such as women's studies, the Civil War and myth-making. Classes are held at Norfolk Academy. The Norfolk public school district provides lunch and works with Learning Bridge officials to identify potential students.
Although those selected for Learning Bridge's college-prep program come from a range of ethnic and cultural backgrounds, preference is given to students from low-income families.
Some live in single-parent homes or in neighborhoods where their peers are openly dismissive of education. Others live in households that have been invaded by violence or substance abuse.
During the school year, the students' performance is tracked closely, and volunteer tutors work with them if needed.
``Our students benefit in any number of ways: socially, academically,'' said Patti Wainger, Learning Bridge director. ``For many it's a first for a lot of things. We try to expose them to as much enrichment as humanly possible.
``We are extended family. That is the commitment we make to them. We become the kids' advocates, whatever they're dealing with.''
Learning Bridge, with a budget of about $70,000, is the only program of its kind in Virginia, Wainger said. Funds have come from grants and foundations, with a large number of in-kind contributions as well.
``I want to teach. I joined this (program) to get some real experience,'' said former Norfolk resident Dante Payton, 18, a rising sophomore at Virginia Commonwealth University and one of the Learning Bridge summer instructors. ``The kids have been learning a lot. It's been fun.''
None of the Learning Bridge students in attendance on Friday took issue with Payton's assessment.
``It's interesting because you get to work on projects and have fun at the same time,'' said Brent Gardner, 13, who is entering the eighth grade at Rosemont Middle School in September. Gardner says he plans to be a physician, specializing in geriatrics.
``I'm ready to go on another ride.''
By late morning, the group had trekked over to the Roman Rapids. Riders found themselves sitting on padded seats on inner-tube-like rafts, holding tight to hand grips as the rafts skidded down turbulent man-made channels.
Emerging drenched from the ride's soaking jets and sprays of water, the students contentedly sloshed their way across the park to a lunch provided free, courtesy of Busch Gardens.
It seemed to have been a good summer day for science. MEMO: Staff writer Jon Glass contributed to this report.
ILLUSTRATION: Color photos by BILL TIERNAN, Staff photos
Sunny Tsang, 13, and Noelle Gabriel, 15, carry accelerometers to
measure the speed of the Big Bad Wolf.
Steve Gagnon helped students measure drop time on the last hill of
the Big Bad Wolf.
KEYWORDS: ENRICHMENT PROGRAM SUMMER SCHOOL AT RISK STUDENTS by CNB