At no cost to the students, courses are instructed by a staff comprised of four AU faculty and five science teachers from Opelika Middle School, Auburn Junior High, Lee-Scott Academy, Wacoochee Junior High and Sanford Middle School. This is our second year of the initiative.
Students get hands-on instruction in biology, chemistry, physics and biochemistry.
Participants are selected on their interest and ability in the sciences, academic performance, standardized test scores and teacher recommendation. The first sessions for this year's 8th grade students were completed Feb. 24, with half participating in a biology program on scientific observation and a study of the eye, and the other half involved in a physical science course on basic electronics and circuitry. In the biology session, students investigate how the eye works. They receive hands-on instruction in the dissection of laboratory specimens and the basics of photography and microscopy. Physical science sessions provide hands-on instruction in the use of basic electronic components.