Museum selects 12 middle-school girls for Neuse River Project
February 16, 2005
RALEIGH --
Twelve sixth-grade girls from Wake County have been
selected to participate in the North Carolina Museum of Natural
Sciences' Neuse River Project held February 22 through April 24. The
project, one of the Museum's annual Girls in Science offerings, aims to
foster middle school girls' interest in science by giving them the
chance to perform research in the field and interact with women in
science-related professions.
The young women in the Neuse River Project will meet once a week after school to work at the Museum and in the field to learn about and participate in scientific research on water quality and wildlife in the Neuse River Basin. The girls will also maintain a journal and are encouraged to create and participate in projects that increase public awareness of water quality issues. The intensive program includes one overnight experience at the Museum's outdoor educational facility at Prairie Ridge and two field trips to local streams. At the end of the project, participants make presentations about their experience during an "open house" at Prairie Ridge.
"The girls in this program really enjoy the hands-on experience … the chance to study nature in the field," said Stephanie Bohr, Girls in Science coordinator. "They also get a chance to develop strong relationships with female mentors in scientific careers, as well as with other girls who share similar interests."
The 12 middle-schoolers were selected from a competitive application process that included a personal essay detailing their interest in natural sciences, and a recommendation from one of their science teachers. James Gassmann, science teacher from Heritage Middle School in Wake Forest and a sponsor for the past five years, said the key is self motivation. "Interest is a bigger factor than academic standing," he said. "Some girls get really excited about this opportunity."
This excitement will be shared with the rest of his class as the participating student makes presentations during and at the end of the semester about their experiences. "They tell us what they've learned, first-hand, about invasive species or habitat loss," Gassmann said. "It adds a unique perspective to our life sciences studies." The program has a lasting impression on participants, he added. "These students show increased motivation and attention to their studies," Gassmann said, "even well after the program is over."
The Neuse River Project is generously sponsored by the Park Foundation. For more information on the Project or on other Girls in Science offerings, contact (919) 733-7450, ext. 615 or toll-free at (877) 4-NATSCI. A list of this spring's participants and their sponsors is provided below.
Girls in Science Neuse River Project
Spring 2005 Participant List
Student, School (Sponsor)
Hannah Bradley, Carroll Middle School (Jeanette Goins)
Carson Cathey, Moore Square Museum Magnet Middle School (Art Barham)
Catherine Coston, Heritage Middle School (James Gassmann)
Savannah Currens, Moore Square Museum Magnet Middle School (Milly Hodges Lester)
Mia Eriksson, West Lake Middle School (Diana Belles)
Austyn Holleman, Carroll Middle School (Jeanette Goins)
Caitlin Kucera, Salem Middle School (Jennifer Wolfe)
Anna Reynolds, Holly Ridge Middle School (Carrie Bornes)
Jessica Rifenburg, Heritage Middle School (James Gassmann)
Kaitlyn Ross, West Lake Middle School (Diana Belles)
Jaclyn Smith, Magellan Charter School (Karma Langer)
Alexandra Welsh, Apex Middle School (Carolyn Goolsby)
The North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, in downtown Raleigh, documents and interprets the natural history of the state of North Carolina through exhibits, research, collections, publications, and educational programming. Hours: Mon.-Sat., 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sun., noon to 5 p.m. Admission is free. Visit the Museum on the web at www.naturalsciences.org. The Museum is an agency of the N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources, William G. Ross Jr., Secretary.
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