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| Vol. 22, No. 14 |
| August 1, 2000 |
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Program Allows Students to Experience Science
Fifty students from the Richmond, Rosenberg and Missouri City areas received an opportunity this summer to explore science both in and out of the classroom through "The Science Academy" program. Administered by EES Educational Services, Inc., the Science Academy is a six-week summer program in which students ages 16-21 are exposed to the practical applications of science. The program is funded by the Harris County Community Development Department through the U.S. Department of Labor's Work Investment Act. The program, which began in 1993, consists of one orientation week, two weeks of classroom instruction and two weeks at a job site. Students then reconvene the final week to discuss their experiences. During the classroom portion of the program, students learn resume writing and interviewing skills, participate in self-awareness and diversity training workshops and conduct scientific experiments using household products, a process that also enhances their reading and writing skills in addition to their knowledge of science. The two-week academic component took place at the Prairie View A&M University College of Nursing. Participating students then travelled to several Texas Medical Center institutions for hands-on work experience. Groups of students performed clerical duties at the Michael E. DeBakey High School for Health Professions and Prairie View A&M University College of Nursing, others worked at a nursing station and in a lab environment at The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, and another group gained experience in the pharmacy department at Memorial Hermann Hospital. The sixth participating site was Vencor, Inc. According to Dr. Launey F. Roberts, Jr., president and CEO of EES Educational Services, Inc. and the program coordinator, the internship not only provides workplace experience, it also gives students an opportunity to explore various careers in the scientific and medical fields. Upon completion of the program, organizers received comments from students about their experience working with others as well as about the benefits of learning practical skills like resume writing and applying for a job. - KRISTINA VAN ARSDEL
©2006 Texas Medical Center E-Mail: tmcinfo@texmedctr.tmc.edu URL: http://www.tmc.edu/tmcnews/08_01_00/page_12.html |
