African-American, Hispanic students to learn science hands-on
at Argonne National Laboratory
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ARGONNE, Ill. (Jan. 24, 2008) — The discoveries of tomorrow will be
made by the students of today, but they first must be exposed to the world
of science and technology.
Argonne's educational programs are funded by the U.S. Department
of Energy's Office of Workforce Development for Teachers and Students as
part of its mission to inspire and encourage the next generation of scientists,
engineers and other technology professionals. |
U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Argonne National Laboratory and its African
American Black Club (AABC) will host the third annual Science Education and
Cultural Arts Day on Feb. 5 in commemoration of Black History Month.
“We must expose students to the beauty of science,” AABC advisor Linda
Phaire-Washington said. “Scientific discovery is exciting!”
Students from Rich Township District 227 High School, Marine Military Academy
of Chicago and Paul Revere Elementary School will embark on a journey of discovery
by not only meeting with some of Argonne's scientists, but also receiving
hands-on experiences in spectroscopy, microscopy and solids, liquids and gases.
Scientists will also demonstrate and discuss principles such as superconductivity,
biosciences and research at the laboratory's Advanced Photon Source.
Many of the students participating in the event are African-American and Hispanic,
ethnic groups historically under represented in science and technology. If
the country is to stay competitive globally, Phaire-Washington said, we must
nurture the next generation of scientists. We must create a love for science
in students at an early age and show them places like Argonne exist and are
viable career destinations.
“Many of them have never seen a national laboratory,” Phaire-Washington said.
Phaire-Washington said the students are more excited every year and the program
has grown from 30-40 students to more than 250 students projected this year.
The students will also experience the science of dance during a performance
of “A Celebration in Dance” by the Northwest Indiana Dance Alliance. The Alliance
will feature the voice, music and message of African American singer and civil
rights leader Nina Simone.
The afternoon will conclude with a panel discussion about the scientific contributions
by African Americans and career options in science and technology.
“ We hope to expose students to a diverse scientific and cultural experience," AABC
president Carmen Berry-Hines said. "Students are the future of our professional
community. It is important to get them involved and help them pursue careers
in science, math, engineering, and technology.”
The visit to Argonne will help students learn through exploration and hands-on
involvement, Berry-Hines said.
The event is sponsored by Argonne's AABC, Division of Educational Programs,
and the Diversity Program Office and the U.S. Department of Energy's Office
of Science in Chicago.
Argonne National Laboratory seeks solutions to pressing national problems in science and technology.
The nation's first national laboratory, Argonne conducts leading-edge basic
and applied scientific research in virtually every scientific discipline. Argonne
researchers work closely with researchers from hundreds of companies, universities,
and federal, state and municipal agencies to help them solve their specific
problems, advance America 's scientific leadership and prepare the nation for
a better future. With employees from more than 60 nations, Argonne is managed
by UChicago
Argonne, LLC for
the U.S.
Department of Energy's Office
of Science.
For more information, please
contact Brock Cooper (630/252-5565 or media@anl.gov)
at Argonne.
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