By Sherry F. Pruitt

JONESBORO — A 3-year grant is continuing this summer to fund a science program for high school students on the ARKANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY campus.

In its second year at ASU, the National Science Foundation will support a program that puts high schoolers studying science on the campus for a week.

The flyers have been sent to more than 250 area schools to attract students, Dr. Karen Yanowitz, associate professor of psychology, said.

Participants, as many as 120 in grades 8-12, will live on campus and attend classes just as college students would. They will work as investigators to solve mock crimes during the week-long program.

The lab is set up so participants are inducted as investigators in the small town of Proximity Parrish. The town has been plagued by several incidents, which may or may not be crimes. Students have to figure it out, Yanowitz said.

One scenario might be that town residents get sick after swimming in a local swimming hole. Using investigative skills, students are assigned the task of finding out whether the “green gunk” in the swimming area was purposefully put there, if it is agricultural run-off or whether it came from another source, Yanowitz said.

Participants also will work with Global Positioning Systems.

Other activities will include: Movie night with a motion picture about a forensic investigation; a talent show with parents invited and a trip to the ASU Museum and a behind-the-scenes museum tour.

The program offers youngsters an opportunity to work in a real lab with real equipment, meet scientists and meet other students with similar interests.

Last year 108 participants, two-thirds girls, went through the program.

“We’re looking for kids interested in science and kids who want to learn,” Yanowitz said. “There is no GPA requirement, and applications are available online.”

Most participants are from Arkansas, but some are from Missouri and Tennessee.

Grant funding covers the cost of room and board. Children will eat in the Arcansa Dining Hall in the Student Union.

In addition to Yanowitz, other co-principal investigators include Dr. Ann Ross, assistant professor of elementary education; and Dr. Staria Vanderpool, assistant professor of botany; and Dr. Tanya McKay, assistant professor of entomology.

This year 60 teachers were invited to attend, compared to 30 the first year.

While children will spend the week of June 17-21 at the summer camp, teachers will arrive on June 9. Students who attended last year may apply, but preference will be given to those who have not previously attended, Yanowitz said.

“That’s how we set the grant up. Year One teachers could help mentor new teachers,” she added.

The deadline for children to register is March 28, and teachers must register by March 21.

Some 20 to 30 individuals, probably graduate students in science, will be hired to supervise the youngsters.

The program is funded by a $1 million grant from the Science Foundation. The summer of 2009 will be its final year at ASU.

sherry@jonesborosun.com