| Last July, twenty Nebraska high school students participated in
Biology Career Workshop, a summer science camp sponsored by the University
of Nebraska-Lincoln College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources.
The five day camp enabled participating students to explore interests
in fields such as biotechnology, animal science, and engineering.
The students attended hands-on workshops conducted by UNL professors.
One workshop presented by Dr. Ed Peters showed students how to determine
the age of fish by sectioning spines or fin rays. Another, entitled
"DNA Technology in Agronomy," studied the DNA of plants,
explaining how different genetic material leads to different physical
traits. Other workshops included animal behavior, plant micro propagation,
and entomology. The camp’s format permitted each student to
attend seven workshops of his/her choice, providing the participants
with a broad variety of experiences. Students found the seminars interesting
and exciting. Bailey Nelson, a student from Newman Grove High School,
said, "I liked the hands-on labs, especially the dissecting sessions.
I didn’t think I would make it through them, but after the first
cut I was fine. I found it fascinating!" In addition to the
seminars, the workshop provided the students with an opportunity
to learn about college life. The students stayed in residence halls
and visited campus facilities. Students also received information
about entrance requirements to UNL and scholarship opportunities
for the Center of Ag Sciences and Natural Resources. The camp also
stressed potential careers for students with a high science interest.
Dan Sahn, a student from Seward High School, said, "BCW offers
a good selection of possible careers in biology. The professors
were a great help and were eager to answer questions about their
profession."
Next year, Biology Career Workshop will be offered July 23-27.
Those interested in the program should contact Ms. Sue Voss via
e-mail svoss1@unl.edu or by
phone (402)472-2541. To be eligible, students must have finished
the tenth or eleventh grade and have completed a biology class.
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