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Lander Hosts Summer Science Programs for Students in Grades Five through 12

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Local school students use a microscope to discover clues at last year's forensics class conducted as part of the Duke Energy Summer Institute. Applications are now being accepted for five sessions that begin on June 13.

Lander University is accepting applications for Duke Energy's 2016 Summer Institute at Lander, featuring science and computer programs for students in grades five through 12. The enrichment program is sponsored by a grant from Duke Energy and offers talented students a challenging educational experience with opportunities for fun and a taste of life at Lander.

Each of the five sessions are scheduled Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. The instructors are faculty members in Lander's College of Science and Mathematics, and the programs will be conducted in university classrooms and laboratories. Many of the counselors will be Lander students majoring in subjects offered.

Dr. David Slimmer, dean of the College of Science and Mathematics and professor of physics, will present a program giving students a tour of everyday phenomena using hands-on demonstrations in different areas of physics, chemistry and biology. The program, June 13-16, is for rising fifth- through 10th-graders.

The fascinating world of forensics will be the subject of classes scheduled for June 20-23. Lander biology professor Dr. T.D. Maze will help students become familiar with the basics of DNA technology and other techniques law enforcement uses to solve crimes. The session is for rising sixth- through ninth-grade students.

"Mobile App Programming Using MIT App Inventor 2," is the subject of classes June 27-30. Lander professor of computing Dr. Gilliean Lee will teach participants how to use the blocks-based tool to start programming and build fully functional applications for Android devices. Students will develop apps of their own in art, music, science, mathematics and games. A limited number of Android devices will be available, or students may bring their own Androids to the classes. The program is for rising sixth- through 12th-graders.

During the week of July 11-14, professor of biology Dr. Mark Pilgrim will take students on a tour through the unseen world of microbes and investigate how disease outbreaks occur. Participants will be taught to grow and study microbes, such as bacteria and yeast, and learn how they pose a threat to human health and how they help in the production of certain foods. Classes are for rising sixth- through 10th-grade students.

Dr. Ralph Layland, professor of chemistry at Lander, will lead a session called "The Magic of Chemistry." He will demonstrate the chemistry of familiar consumer products found in the home, featuring hands-on laboratory experiments. The class, July 18-21, is for rising sixth- through 10th-grade students.

The fee for each summer institute session is $120, which pays for all supplies, snacks and lunch in Lander's Dining Hall.

Applications and fees must be received by June 3, along with a letter of recommendation from each student's science or mathematics teacher or guidance counselor.

More information is available and applications may be downloaded here or by calling Lander's College of Science and Mathematics at 864-388-8386.