Museum's Middle School Girls in Science Applications Due February 4, 2011

If you have a 6th or 7th grade girl who is passionate about science and who lives in Wake County, NC or one of the surrounding counties, you might want to look into the Girls in Science Neuse River Project sponsored by the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences.  This intensive 10-week program allows middle school girls to work individually with female scientists investigating issues related to wetlands and native species in North Carolina.  The weekly sessions, which take place from 3:30-5:30 each Tuesday afternoon (starting March 1), will include classes at the museum or other science institutions, field trips, and hands-on experiments in the field.  There is also an overnight stay at the Museum' Prairie Ridge facility, followed by an Open House presentation of the outcomes achieved on May 15.

To apply, download the form and schedule from the Museum's website (click here to go to that page).  The application includes an essay by the student, a personal recommendation from an adult not related to the student, and a recommendation from the girl's 6th grade science teacher (who I think can be related--at least, I know that homeschoolers have participated in this program).  If accepted, there is a $65 fee (mostly to cover equipment and the overnight stay) and an expectation that the student will attend all sessions.  The complete application is due IN the Museum by 5:00 on Friday, February 4.

I do have one friend whose daughter participated in this program, and they found it to be valuable.  So those of you with middle school girls whose schedules aren't TOO overloaded already might want to take advantage of what I'm sure is a high-quality program (at least, we've always been impressed with the quality of the classes we've taken through the Museum).