GEAR UP Students Participate in Project AMPLE

Students from seven North Central West Virginia counties learned about computer applications, graphics, mathematics and science during a free, two-week residential program at Fairmont State University.

Project AMPLE (Action Math and Physics Laboratory Experiences) Extended is a summer enrichment program in science, mathematics, graphics and computer technology for current 10th-grade students from designated GEAR UP schools. The program began Sunday, June 22, and ran through Wednesday, July 2. The purpose of Project AMPLE Extended is to motivate students with high potential to consider future careers as scientists, graphic designers and mathematicians.

Thirteen students from Doddridge, Marion, Monongalia, Preston, Randolph, Taylor and Tucker counties participated in this year's program.

Dr. Susan Goodwin, Professor of Mathematics; Dr. Erica Harvey, Professor of Chemistry; and Stephanie Yoho, math faculty at Fairmont Senior High School, were project directors.

"The underlying message of our program is that the exciting careers available in science, math and technology all require strong math backgrounds. Students need to take math and science classes every year during high school, so that they will have choices of careers when they start college," Harvey said. "They should also take advantage of opportunities to learn computer skills during the high school grades."

One major goal of Project AMPLE Extended was to help students, especially those from groups historically under-represented in the sciences, discover whether they might have potential for a career in math, science, graphics or computer science. Students completed a rigorous two-stage application process to become part of the program.

Dr. Andreas Baur of the FSU Chemistry Program directed the science program. Dennine LaRue of the FSU Mathematics Program led math classes. Don Tobin of the FSU Computer Science Program and Dr. Martina Bachlechner of the Physics program co-directed the computer applications program. Vijay Raol of the Pierpont Community & Technical College Graphics Program directed the graphics program.

Shane Eakle, Anne Johnson, Brooke Michael and B. J. Scott directed the evening activities for the camp. Michael Belmear, FSU Vice President for Student Affairs, consulted on the evening activities.

Other staff members helping with Project AMPLE Extended this year included Jesse Flowers and Rose Ann Levelle, math teaching assistants; Renee LaRue and Jennifer Rinker graphics teaching assistants; Shane Poletti, applied computation teaching assistant; Ryan Stocking, science and applied computation teaching assistant; Sandy Shriver, AMPLE purchasing agent; Dr. Robert Sweeney, Spaghetti Bridge; Adrienne Riggi and Jana Woofter, group leaders; and John Piscitelli, photography.

The following students from the following counties participated in AMPLE:

Doddridge County  Lonnie Dodson, Quinton Hinzman

Marion County  Sarah Galford, Gabriella Jenab, Hannah Morris, Deidre Tobin

Monongalia County  Katelyn Francis, Madison Riffle

Preston County  Sarah Dunaway

Randolph County  Andrew Cox

Taylor County  Courtney Fleming, Sarah Morgan

Tucker County  Sky Meador

GEAR UP is a federally funded program that aims to significantly increase the number of students who are prepared to succeed in education beyond high school. In 1999, Fairmont State was awarded a $21 million GEAR UP partnership grant to serve 47 schools in nine West Virginia counties for six years. In 2005, the partnership was continued with a new six-year grant, an additional $31 million, and an expanded area which now includes 56 schools in 14 counties. For more information, call Fairmont State GEAR UP at (304) 367-0436.