Summertime At RPSEC

2004

During the summer, we at the Ruth Patrick Center stay very busy with summer programs. We thought you might be interested in some of the events that were hosted here this past summer in addition to the ones previously highlighted in the articles in the newsletter.

The Planetarium

The Planetarium stayed busy with 455 student and 71 adult visits to our special summer showings.

We had 71 people visit our observatory and 21 people viewed our planetarium show this summer during the rare transit of Venus.

The Planetarium Public shows were also popular with showings the first and third Friday and Saturday of each month averaging 186 adults, 86 senior citizens, 230 students, and 6 USCA faculty/staff/students.

The debut of “In My Backyard” was a hit in July.

CSRA Mathematics and Science Regional Center (CSRA MSRC)

The CSRA MSRC hosted the Higher Education Mathematics Partnership workshop, Creating Teacher Learner Communities, the JASON Project, and Inquiry Toolkit Institute with 74 participants.

Gloria and Gregory were very much involved with the 2-week training of mathematics and science coaches from across the state.

Gregory made a presentation to at-risk rising ninth-graders at North Augusta High School. They conducted an investigation of the spread of an infectious disease, investigated variables that affect a pendulum, and the students presented their findings to the class. The session was very student-centered and the students were awesome.

NRSMEEP

Woodsmanship/Hunter Education Camp, Family Y outdoor activities, and a Coca Cola Kids Camp with 64 students participating kept NRSMEEP busy this summer.

NRSMEEP offered a GLOBE graduate course for teachers from across SC with 15 teachers receiving credit with GLOBE certification and $350.00 of science equipment.

Student Programs

Camp USC Aiken held several camps in our building this summer including From Sea to Shining Sea, Reading is Out of this World, The Great Outdoors, Mother Nature and Take a Walk on the Webside. Camp Invention had 51 students participating.

GEAR UP

Gear Up met for three weeks with 40 students attending the summer institute.