By Jennifer Bonck

The focus of this new program is to encourage girls to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and math. The two-year program includes a week-long summer camp at UK for two consecutive years, as well as five Saturday academies throughout the school year at participants' local community colleges. The girls will also receive mentoring from female research and community leaders.

Lexington, Ky. (Dec. 17, 2002) -- The University of Kentucky is recruiting teachers and students for an innovative education program, Girls in Science.

Several years ago, UK was awarded a grant to study how young women can be supported and encouraged to pursue careers in science. Because of the success of this initiative, the Young Women in Science program, the university is offering a new program funded by the National Science Foundation for girls in middle school.

The focus of this new program is to encourage girls to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and math. The two-year program includes a week-long summer camp at UK for two consecutive years, as well as five Saturday academies throughout the school year at participants' local community colleges. The girls will also receive mentoring from female research and community leaders.

Girls from the following counties are being recruited: Bell, Breathitt, Clay, Ford, Harlan, Jackson, Johnson, Knott, Knox, Laurel, Lee, Leslie, Letcher, Magoffin, Martin, Owsley, Perry, Pike, Rockcastle, Whitley, Wolfe.
All expenses will be paid. Each participant will be given a $100 stipend upon completion of each summer session and a $1,000 stipend upon completion of the two-year program to be used for the college of her choice.

Teachers are also asked to join in this effort. Participating teachers will attend two-day summer workshops at UK to help create Girls in Science clubs in their local schools. Again, all expenses will be paid. Teachers will be given a $300 stipend for their summer involvement and $500 to assist in creating the clubs.

Girls entering the seventh grade in fall 2003 and teachers that teach at least two math, science or technology courses at the middle school level are eligible to apply. For more information, call (859) 266-7535, e-mail creid2@uky.edu, or visit the Web site.