8/13/97

Christie Kleinmann, 844-3698

AU SUMMER PROGRAM HAS HIGH SCHOOLERS IN RESEARCH LABS

AUBURN -- High school students and teachers got hands-on learning opportunities at Auburn University this summer in the College of Veterinary Medicine's fifth annual minority research program.

Nine high school and college undergraduates exchanged their textbooks for slides, microscopes, scalpels and other laboratory tools to work alongside AU faculty.

Dr. Ken Nusbaum, program director, says the primary goal of the program is get top students interested in careers in veterinary medicine or health sciences.

"The program provides a dynamic opportunity for students to participate in ongoing research," he said. "It urges students to expand their spectrum of careers and inspires some to choose a scientific field."

Auburn's eight-week program, which is funded through the National Center of Research and Resources, encourages talented minority students to work alongside AU faculty mentors.

"Side by side, students, teachers and mentors work closely to master a chosen test or technique," Nusbaum said. "At the program's conclusion, participants share with each other the knowledge and experience they have gained."

The nine students from Alabama, Georgia and Virginia who participated in this summer's program were selected based on teacher recommendations, strong academic ability, and interest in the health professions.

Starling Hooks, a rising senior at Tuskegee High School, says the summer program was a welcomed challenge. "It's challenging because the goal is to take the things you learn in school and have the initiative to do them," Hooks said.

While the program broadens the mind, it also expands the career options available to the students. Adrienne Tyson, a senior from Opelika High School, sayus she is unsure about which career to choose, but the summer program got interested her in the sciences.

"I'm interested in pre-medicine, but I'm not sure where I want to go to college. Maybe Auburn," Tyson said.

Wendy Torbert, an entering AU freshman from Beauregard, plans on a career in engineering, but was surprised to learn that the health sciences also offer opportunities to work with computers.

Within the labs at the College of Veterinary Medicine, students performed a variety of tasks this summer. Hooks, for example, worked with Dr. Dean Schwartz of the Department of Physiology and Pharmacology to determine the amount of protein present in different types of membranes. He found that science requires not only smarts, but plenty of patience.

"You have to wait an hour, wash the membranes, and then wait another 15 minutes," Hooks explained.

Marilyn Stanford, a senior from Opelika High School, worked with Dr. Larry Myers of the Department of Physiology and Pharmacology on search and rescue dogs. "This is my experiment, so I'm pretty excited. Dr. Myers helped me get started, but I'm doing all the work," Stanford said.

Stanford tried determine how different surfaces, such as asphalt and grass, affect a dog's sense of smell. "I think a grass surface will be superior because asphalt doesn't hold smell as well. But, it's never been tested before," she said.

Tasha Crawford, a sophomore from Alexandria, Va., said the campus experience made the summer program exciting for her. "I like being independent, staying in the dorms, and learning to live with a roommate," she said. Crawford said she would like to return to Auburn for college to help complete the research she started.

In addition to the students, four high school teachers participated in the summer program. They learned various lab techniques through working on their own research projects. In turn, the teachers will introduce their newly acquired skills to their classrooms in the fall.

Pene' Williams, a physical science and biology teacher at Auburn High School, worked with the Alabama Water Watch program, testing surrounding streams and rivers for their levels of pollution. Williams plans to use the pollution-testing kits in her classroom this school year.

"I may require a project on water pollution," Williams said, "or, we may examine various fish and insect species and chemicals found in area lakes and rivers."

Many teachers have also made arrangements for their mentors to present scientific materials and describe current health science careers to their classes. Williams plans to invite Auburn professors she met during the program to her classroom.

"Because it is impossible to know everything, it's nice to have good, close contacts at the university who can speak about their specialties. It gives the classroom a more personal touch," Williams said.

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aug97:AU-summer CONTACT: Nusbaum, 844-2693.