Math and Science Camp Challenges Students; Part of Federal Grant Program to Strength Skills

Business Wire, June 25, 2004

NORTH ANDOVER, Mass. -- Lawrence students at a special science and math camp next week will be challenged to figure out how to design and build a boat from a box of materials provided. They will then test their boat's ability to travel a specific distance in the shortest amount of time in the reflecting pond at Merrimack College.

This is just one of the components planned for the approximately 100 Lawrence middle school students who will participate in this year's first Summer Camp of the Lawrence Math and Science Partnership at Merrimack College. The goal of the camp's curricula is to open the world of science and math to students and relate it to future career choices in those fields.

Other activities include:

--making weather instruments, and studying weather through lab experiments

--using a compass to locate positions around campus

--learning origami, and its relationship to mathematics

--learning about the lives of individuals who became mathematicians

--learning about fitness, weight training and designed their own fitness program

--field trip to Museum of Science

When:     Monday, June 28 - Friday, July 2

Who:      Faculty and students of Merrimack College and Bellesini
          Academy in Lawrence are instructing the camp. Special
          guests are invited daily. Director: Dr. Linda Foote,
          associate professor of biology at Merrimack.

Where:    Merrimack College, North Andover, Mass.

About Lawrence Math and Science Partnership:

The Lawrence Math and Science Partnership is a 20-week, after-school program held at five sites in the city for 180 Lawrence youth who are challenged both in the classroom and by the MCAS exam. Approximately 60 Merrimack College students conduct active learning workshops that enable hands-on activities for the young students.

The program was made possible beginning in September 2003 by a three-year grant to Merrimack College to support a Higher Education Learn and Serve America Program funded by the U.S. Government Corporation for National and Community Service. This is the program's first year and its first summer camp program.

COMMUNITY PARTNERS: Merrimack is joined in this endeavor by Blessed Stephen Bellesini Academy; Asian Center of Merrimack Valley; Adelante!; Lawrence Community Works; and the Spar and Spindle Girl Scouts Council, all of Lawrence, Mass.

CONTACT: For interviews with the program's director, Merrimack students and/or Lawrence middle school students, please contact Public Relations at Merrimack College, 978-837-5193. The media is invited to visit the camp. Please call Public Relations if you plan to attend.