Gazette.net July 28, 2011 Science in the summer for Prince George's students - Nearly 70 high schoolers enrolled in free Scholars Academy at Bowie State by Virginia Terhune, Staff Writer Destiny Bayemake, a rising sophomore at Bowie High School, didn't think she was going to like the six-week summer science program that culminates today at Bowie State University. For one thing, students aren't allowed to bring their cell phones, and there's limited free time. But the science and math courses are free, and she had the chance to sample college life while living on campus Monday through Friday with nearly 70 other high school students from around Prince George's County who participated in the six-week Pre-College Science Scholars Academy. "I never thought it would be this interesting and that I would have fun ... but overall, it was fun and educational," said Bayemake, 15, who finished up her first summer in the program with her classmates today. Funded as part of a five-year, $12.4 million grant from the National Science Foundation and now in its third summer, the academy at Bowie State is designed to increase participation by minority and other underrepresented groups in science and science teaching, said program manager Anisha Campbell, assistant professor in the university's Department of Natural Sciences. Students who commit to three summers can earn eight college-level credits by taking a college-level biology class their second summer and a college-level chemistry class their third summer. To be accepted, they must write a 750-word essay that shows they are interested in pursuing a career in science, technology, engineering or math, known as the STEM disciplines. Students must also supply two letters of recommendation from eighth- and ninth-grade science teachers. During their first summer, between ninth and 10th grades, students are introduced to college study skills and also take introductory classes in math, chemistry and biology. "Some have taken biology and say they don't want to forget it, while for others, it's something that is all new," said Jessica Owens, who teaches the introductory biology class and is also the chemistry laboratory coordinator at Bowie State. Students learn about the scientific method and the parts of the cell before moving on to how cells work, including how they break down nutrients into energy for reproduction and other functions. "This first course is to get some of the basics down," said Owens, adding that students are also tested, and those that don't do well may not be invited back for a second summer. Raelynn Slakes, also 15 and a rising sophomore at Bowie High in her first year in the summer program, said she had taken biology before but found the summer class more challenging. "I love discovering things and how they fit into your daily life," said Slakes, who has long wanted to be a doctor. Augustine Nkanka, 15, of Clinton, a rising junior at Oxon Hill High School, is finishing his second year in the program. He said he likes math and solving problems, but that he has also learned more about other possible careers. "It's introduced me to science, labs and research," he said, adding that the summer classes have taught him the value of studying and taking on more challenging courses. "When I go back to high school, I'm going to take three [Advanced Placement] classes in chemistry, human geography and language," he said. SANDRA M. PHOENIX Program Director HBCU Library Alliance sphoenix@hbculibraries.org<mailto:sphoenix@hbculibraries.org> www.hbculibraries.org<http://www.hbculibraries.org/> 404.592.4820 Skype:sandra.phoenix1 1438 West Peachtree Street NW Suite 200 Atlanta, GA 30309 Toll Free: 1.800.999.8558 (Lyrasis) Fax: 404.892.7879 www.lyrasis.org<http://www.lyrasis.org/> Honor the ancestors, honor the children. Preserving the Story of the HBCU Library Alliance- Success Story Submissions due August 1st. Click here http://www.hbculibraries.org/html/hbcustory.html to access the guidelines.