The College will offer two summer workshops of special interest to alumni and parents:
The summer science workshop for high school minority students will run from Sunday, July 6, through Friday, July 18. This unique science enrichment program provides both college-level classroom and laboratory experience as well as career guidance in the health professions and scientific research.
Applicants will be current tenth and eleventh graders who will have completed both biology and chemistry before entering the program and who are from underrepresented minorities, usually defined in medicine and science as Native American, African-American, and Hispanic/Latino. Last year's class had students from several states, including Colorado and Minnesota, and from Barbados.
Using the theme of HIV/AIDS, Union faculty will teach three short courses, Immunology, Cellular and Molecular Biology, and Computer Technology. Students will have
the opportunity to tour area research and health care facilities and speak with Union faculty and advisors. Room, board, and transportation expenses will be provided, and all participants will receive a $100 stipend.
Admission will be based on (1) a formal application submitted by the student, (2) the applicant's academic record, and (3) two letters of recommendation (one from a science teacher and the other from a teacher or guidance counselor). Completed application forms, transcripts, and letters of recommendation should be sent no later than March 15 to Prof. Karen N. Williams, Department of Biological Sciences, Union College, Schenectady, N.Y. 12308. For additional information, contact Prof. Williams by phone (518-388-6241),
fax (518-388-6429) or e-mail (williamk@union.edu).
The second Educating Girls for Engineering (EDGE) summer program for high school girls is a two-week residential program in which girls design and construct toys and tools for local disabled children using basic principals of bioengineering and robotics. Additionally, girls participate in a theater arts workshop that develops skills in improvisation, public speaking, and communications. Twenty high school girls took part in last year's program.
A review of last summer's EDGE workshop appears on page 15 of the fall Union College magazine and at www.union.edu/outreach. The program is for tenth and eleventh graders who have completed one year of math and science. For more information and to apply, contact Robert Balmer, dean of engineering and computer science, at balmerr@union.edu or 518-388-6530.
EDGE operates solely on tuition and the generous support of alumni, corporations, and foundations. Last year's sponsors included Pratt and Whitney, Knowles Atomic Power Laboratory, Capital Region Robotics, Society of Women Engineers, the GE Women's Network, and Seena Drapala '84 and Mary Templeton '80. Our goal this year is to raise $30,000 to support the program. If you or your company wish to contribute to this exciting new program, please contact Dean Balmer.