Sixty students from Southern and Eastern Kentucky put their math and science skills to work this summer as they participated in and graduated from The Center for Rural Development’s Rogers Explorers summer youth program.
The students—-all rising ninth-graders—-received hands-on experience in math and science and developed critical leadership skills at sessions of Rogers Explorers held the week of June 6-11 on the campuses of Lindsey Wilson College and the University of the Cumberlands.
“This has been an exceptional week of having the opportunity to work first-hand with our Explorers on skills that will strengthen their future as well as strengthen the entire region,” Jessica Melton, associate director of education and training for The Center, said. “Explorers worked with leading experts to further enhance their math and science skills and develop their leadership ability to help them reach their full potential as the region’s next generation of leaders and entrepreneurs.”
At Lindsey Wilson College, students learned about the transformation of mechanical energy to electrical energy. Explorers used simple household items, including a piece of cardboard, a nail, some magnets, cooper wire, and tape, to construct their own electrical generator.
“Through this hands-on experience, students received knowledge about how to generate electricity several different ways, and to have fun generating their own electricity by using their fingers and few simple parts,” instructor Heather Spoon, director of Energy Technology Career Academy, said.
Explorers at Lindsey Wilson College also looked at common human traits determined by single genes and worked on their communication skills in one of the newest majors offered to participants.
During the session at the University of the Cumberlands, Explorers took a closer look at the stars and planets through active participation in the STARLAB planetarium.
In this exercise, Explorers worked as a group using their math and science skills to resolve mathematical challenges and research problems associated with a simulated crash on the planet Mars.
According to instructor Larry Newquist, students had to determine distance and time needed to return to base and to decide as a group what can and what should be taken in order to make it back to base.
In addition, Explorers on the University of the Cumberland campus received hands-on experience working with introductory and more advanced biological topics, including extracting DNA from a living organism, and took part in a chemistry session studying polymers and the importance of recycling.
“I hope to instill in students the importance of recycling used material, not just plastics,” instructor Jeff Schwartz said.
Explorers at both Lindsey Wilson College and the University of the Cumberlands participated in a live videoconference with NASA officials and completed PRIDE (Personal Responsibility In a Desirable Environment) clean-up projects in Adair and Whitley counties as part of their community service projects.
Thirty additional students are scheduled to attend the third and final summer session of 2010 Rogers Explorers set for July 21-23 on the campus of Eastern Kentucky University in Richmond.
This is the largest number of participants to take part in Rogers Explorers since the program was launched by The Center in partnership with the University of the Cumberlands in 2006.
Lindsey Wilson College joined the program last year and Eastern Kentucky University is the newest host site for Rogers Explorers summer youth program.
All lodging, meals, and program expenses (with the exception of transportation to and from the host sites) are provided free of charge to student and their parents.
To learn more about Rogers Explorers, contact Jessica Melton, associate director of education and training for The Center, at 606-677-6000 or via e-mail at jmelton@centertech.com.
The Center for Rural Development—the Center of Excellence for rural Kentucky and the nation—provides economic and community development programs to residents in a 42-county primary service area of Southern and Eastern Kentucky, and is home to several statewide and national technology-based programs. For more information on programs available through The Center, visit www.centertech.com.
Rogers Explorers graduates at Lindsey Wilson College
Photo Caption 1: Rogers Explorers on the campus of Lindsey Wilson College in Columbia are, front row, from left, Kaity Hamill and Annie He, both of Russell County; Nikki Dalton and Laura Cherry, both of Pulaski County; Chance Bender, Lincoln County; and Trevor Bean, Monroe County; second row, Kelsay Scott, Green County; Lamon Hubbs, Clinton County; Alison Towell, Rowan County; Madelaine Blankenship, Russell County; Ivy Parsons, Metcalfe County; and Hannah Guffey, Monroe County; third row, Logan Adams, Pulaski County; Allie Ingram, Green County; McKinzie Henson, Russell County; Lexie Parks, Pulaski County; Sydney Bright and Elizabeth McGaha, both of Adair County: fourth row, Caroline Parker, Katherine Citak, Shelby Boyd, Brittany Pittman, and Anand Prabhu, all of Pulaski County; fifth row, Desha Lee, Pulaski County resident assistant; Cory Gearlds, Monroe County resident assistant; Caleb Wigginton, Taylor County; Amanda McGeorge, Monroe County; Abigail Adams, Russell County; Grayson Murphy and Will Lange, both of Pulaski County; Jared Lake, Rockcastle County; Jessica Melton, associate director of education and training for The Center for Rural Development; Kayla Stotts, Pulaski County resident assistant, and Elizabeth Goode, intern.
Rogers Explorers at University of the Cumberlands
Photo Caption 2: Rogers Explorers on the campus of the University of the Cumberlands are, from left, Kayla Stotts, Pulaski County resident assistant; Elizabeth Goode, intern; Zachary Grigsby, Clay County; Desha Lee, Pulaski County resident assistant; Kaitlyn Stephens, McCreary County; Madison Hatfield, Cameron Cheuvront and Rebecca Garland, all of Pulaski County; Brad Nordin, Johnson County; Shelby Harville, Pulaski County; Morgan Stogsdill, McCreary County; Ashley Johnson, Pulaski County; Amber Cline, Metcalfe County; Teddy Woods, Clay County; Taylor Spry, Whitley County; Cassandra Casada, Pulaski County; Matthew Bertram, Wayne County; Katherine Wells, Johnson County; Alexander Phipps, Knox County; Allison Smith, Whitley County; Aaron Asbury, Pike County; Haley Jo Patton, Wolfe County; Daniel Bertram, Wayne County; Kelly Brown, Bell County; Colby Creech, Wolfe County; McKinzii Todd and Rebekah Ponder, both of Rockcastle County; Kaitlin Roberts and Katie McFarland, both of Wayne County; Abby Newquist, Whitley County; Matthew Barber, Johnson County; Anthony Hicks, Laurel County; Cory Gearlds, Monroe County resident assistant; Jessica Melton, associate director of education and training for The Center for Rural Development; William Hurst III, Wolfe County, and Laura Johnson, resident assistant. |
