West Virginia University is getting kids excited about learning during the West Virginia Governors School for Mathematics and Science (GSMS) this month. Sixty students from nearly every county in the state are immersing themselves in classes and hands-on learning opportunities at WVU all while experiencing dorm-style living on campus at Stalnaker Hall, going on field trips and joining in social and recreational activities.
The session for students who recently finished the seventh grade (often referred to by educators asrising 8th graders) began Thursday (July 5) and will run through July 14. Rising ninth graders will attend their own session at WVU July 15-27. Students in this age group also have the opportunity to attend a session at the National Radio Astronomy Observatory at Green Bank July 29-Aug. 11.
A ceremony for parents and families was held for the first session. A similar ceremony will be at 3 p.m. in the auditorium of the Life Sciences Building on the opening day of the second session.Its very important for us to engage the youth of our state in exciting educational activities,said Keith Garbutt, dean of the Honors College.They are the future, literally. Not having enough young people studying math and science is a national problem. We want to show them science is fun.
Six WVU resident advisers (RAs) will live and work side-by-side with the students, helping them adjust to their weeklong stay and aiding them on their projects. When participants first arrive, the RAs and volunteers put on a ceremony and skit to help prevent possible homesickness. They act almost as camp counselors, coordinating activities, playing games and working alongside a particular teacher and group of students throughout the week.
Central research themes are chosen each year for the school. Activities broaden students’understanding of the role of scientific research in society.Journey to the Inner Spaceis the theme for this years program, which will include trips to the National Aquarium in Baltimore July 8 and 22.
This will be the first time the school has taken students to the aquarium, Garbutt noted. Students will design special projects, such as a fictional expedition to the bottom of the ocean, prior to their field trip. During a typical day at the school, children learn by forming research groups in the morning with experiences related to the central theme. Students usually break for soccer, swimming and other outdoor games in the mid-afternoon.
Everything they do feeds into the theme of the school,Garbutt said.The theme this year is about whats going on at the bottom of the oceans. Its about dealing with engineering problems, how you would design something to withstand high pressures.
Theyll be learning a lot of math and science as they go along.Students will enjoy hands-on biology experiences, looking at different organisms and ocean currents, among many other areas.
The GSMS also provides an important role in getting students interested in higher education, Garbutt said.Students from the first group we had are coming to WVU this year,he noted.Many will be honor students. Its good to see were making a difference. Young students get a lot of encouragement through the Governors School.
Other activities include science lectures by WVU faculty, Quiz Bowl and field trips.
2007 GSMS PARTICIPANTS (Reporters, please note students from your hometown area.)
Rising eighth graders (first session):
- Kent Marshall, St. Albans, Kanawha
- Afsheen Misaghi, Charleston, Kanawha
- Zachary Henderson, Wileyville, Wetzel
- Pranay Jain, Fairmont, Marion
- Clara Novotny, Falling Waters, Berkeley
- Emily Larry, Bridgeport, Harrison
- Rachel Burky, Elkins, Randolph
- Corey Rhodes, Seneca Rocks, Grant
- Jenia Sipilovic, Mt. Hope, Raleigh
- Kyle Berkow, Morgantown, Monongalia
- Jessica Smith, Grafton, Taylor
- Marva Lewis, Beckley, Raleigh
- Tanya Buckhannon, Orlando, Gilmer
- Joseph Reed, Newton, Roane
- Michael Rogers, Bluefield, Mercer
- Robyn Wiseman, Glen Dale, Marshall
- Alexander White, Fayetteville, Fayette
- Yunxuan Zhang, Huntington, Cabell
- Danae’Bass, Huntington, Cabell
- Meghan Anderson, Keyser, Mineral
- William Scott, Lewisburg, Greenbrier
- Evan Wilson, Kenova, Wayne
- Philip Mickinac, New Manchestere, Hancock
- Kennedy Boyce, Yellow Spring, Hampshire
- Carl Fernandes, Vienna, Wood
- Laura Farr, Williamstown, Wood
- Tyler Miller, Berkeley Springs, Morgan
- Bryan Gialluco, Weirton, Brooke
- Dana Mathes, Crawford, Upshur
Rising ninth graders (second session):
- Kelby Fetter, Belington, Barbour
- Kaitlan Raby, Foster, Boone
- Darian Spurlock, Huntington, Cabell
- Camden Kinder, Glenville, Gilmer
- Rebekah Dennis, Weirton, Hancock
- Tyler Kerr, Capon Springs, Hardy
- Grayson Sperry, Bristol, Harrison
- Elisabeth White, Bridgeport, Harrison
- Daniel Citro, Harpers Ferry, Jefferson
- Daniel Ball, Chapmanville, Logan
- Colin Frosch, Fairmont, Marion
- Joanna Bailey, Roderfield, McDowell
- Ashley Curry, Varney, Mingo
- Eileen Pender, Morgantown, Monongalia
- Caryn Cable, Craigsville, Nicholas
- Rocky Diegmiller, Wheeling, Ohio
- Brian Simmons, Franklin, Pendleton
- Victoria Carpenter, St. Marys, Pleasants
- Elizabeth Yoder, Scott Depot, Putnam
- Luke Miller, Scott Depot, Putnam
- Matthew Prelaz, Beckley, Raleigh
- Taylor VanScoy, Pennsboro, Ritchie
- Bradley Luckton, Nimitz, Summers
- Jared Barr, Grafton, Taylor
- Matthew Knowlton, Friendly, Tyler
- Christopher Shackleford, Hundred, Wetzel
- Julie Lauderman, Vienna, Wood
- Joselyn Lupardus, Pineville, Wyoming
- Audrey Hayhurst, Rivesville, Marion