Summer Bridge leads to science discovery for young women

Summer Bridge Action

The 2014 Summer Bridge will again include scientific and creative challenges for future female citizen-scientists from across Virginia.

Young women will be introduced to the joy and challenge of science when the Summer Bridge Program opens at Radford University on Sunday, July 13.

More than 90 rising sophomores, juniors and seniors from across the Commonwealth of Virginia will embark upon a five-day scientific and co-curricular discovery experience. The Summer Bridge, now in its ninth year, will feature the most expansive program yet.

There are now five exploration concentrations from which the aspiring citizen-scientists can choose: space exploration; geology; cryptology and forensic science; environmental science and genes, molecules and medicine. The concentrations are taught by RU faculty with assistance from RU undergraduate science students.

"The College of Science and Technology (CSAT) is excited to provide the high school women in Summer Bridge Program this opportunity to enrich their knowledge of science, technology and mathematics,” said CSAT Dean Orion Rogers.  “Thanks to the generosity of our donors, these young women will learn from 12 outstanding CSAT faculty members, engage with women teaching assistants and counselors who are role models, live in Jefferson Hall and eat in Dalton Dining Hall for a fun and challenging pre-college experience.”

A nuclear facility in Lynchburg, a hybrid power station in Wise and a mock crime scene will be among the field trip destinations for the students and each day will feature a presentation by a woman in a scientific field.

All of this year’s attendees are recipients of scholarships from Summer Bridge sponsors: ATK, Areva Nuclear Power, Cliff and Donna Boyd, Dominion Resources, the Jessie Ball duPont Fund, Ms. Dale Lee, the Lynchburg Community Trust, Novozymes Biologicals, the Harry and Zoe Poole Foundation and Upward Bound Martinsville.

Jul 3, 2014