Purdue News

June 12, 2003

Purdue hosts high school biology program

The Department of Biological Sciences at Purdue University will host the first Hughes Summer Experience in Biology for high school students on June 18-27.

Fifteen students selected from area high schools and Frankfort High School will participate in the program, which seeks to introduce students to the world of science through the biological sciences.

Students will be exposed to different areas of biology, and they will learn to appreciate the roles that mathematics, chemistry and physics play in modern biological studies by participating in hands-on laboratories and field activities that use these disciplines. In addition, students will interact with biology faculty researchers who will discuss their work and show how science can make a difference in daily life.

Program director Clark Gedney will be assisted by outreach coordinator Isidore Julien and three high school biology teachers: Stacy Baugh and Shelby Ranjbar of Frankfort High School and Clare McKinney of Jefferson High School.

This program is funded through a grant awarded to the department by the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. A principal goal of this grant is to encourage students from groups historically underrepresented in the sciences to consider science, particularly biology, as a career.

CONTACT: Gedney, (765) 494-0157.