Rhodes College Contacts:
Ginny Davis (901) 843-3470
John Kerr (901) 843-3873
July 6, 2000
Summer Program Immerses Teens in Biology Experience
(Memphis, Tenn.)--Thirty-two inquisitive high school students will begin delving into the mysteries of science Monday, July 10, when Rhodes College opens its annual Young Scholars Program in biology.
Students who successfully complete the four-week program will not only earn three hours of college credit; they will arm themselves with new skills and technological tools.
Underwritten by the Plough Foundation, Young Scholars allows students entering their sophomore, junior or senior years in high school to learn different laboratory methods for conducting scientific experimentation. Participants will design and conduct their own group research projects and present their results to their peers during weekly meetings.
"We want to give talented and motivated Mid-South high school students who are interested in careers in the biological sciences the opportunity to participate in an investigative research experience in biology," said Dr. John Olsen, Rhodes biology department chair and Young Scholars director.
In addition to attending lectures and laboratory sessions, students will view and discuss films with science themes such as Lorenzo's Oil, Deep Impact and The Day the Earth Stood Still. The curriculum includes workshops on using computer applications to organize and present research.
Lectures and discussions will address various topics including experimental design, biological weapons, genetic screening and engineering, human cloning and extinction. The program also will include presentations of the philosophical and ethical implications of recent technological advances in biology and medicine.
"We want our summer high school students to understand that biological research is exciting, challenging and fun," said Olsen. "We also want them to appreciate the importance of scientific research in our society."
Drs. Bob Jones and Charles Stinemetz of the Rhodes biology faculty and Dr. Robert Llewellyn, chair of the philosophy department, will help conduct the program.
The Young Scholars program, which is provided at no cost to participants, has been in operation for four years with the support of the National Science Foundation. A recent award of $211,000 from the Plough Foundation will allow Rhodes to continue the program for the next five years. The Assisi Foundation also provides support for the program.
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