University Day 2000 To Bring Distinguished Scientists And Area K-12 Students , Teachers To UA Campus

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - Researchers and staff in University of Arkansas, Fayetteville laboratories will step aside for the day on Feb. 11 to make way for Arkansas K-12 students and teachers of science, math and technology, as part of University Day 2000. This annual program seeks to stimulate the science, mathematics and technology curricula of northwest Arkansas schools with instruction and hands-on experience.

Student-teacher teams from schools across the state will be able to select three separate sessions of interest from numerous offerings in science, mathematics and technology; experience science, mathematics and technology activities set to appropriate grade levels; and attend a luncheon lecture by John Wood, lead optical engineer at the Goddard Space Flight Center for NASA's Hubble Space Telescope.

"One reason University Day has become such an annual success is that regional K-12 students and teachers of science, math and technology have the opportunity to interact with faculty and learn about creative, novel approaches to math and science education," said Lynne

Hehr, Director of CMASE and the Arkansas NASA Educator Resource Center. "Students and teachers view windows into the future of science, math, and technology as they participate in a day of hands-on laboratory activities using state-of-the-art equipment and technology."

Distinguished speakers will conduct public lectures and discussions. In addition to the luncheon lecture, Wood will offer a free public lecture on "Hubble Explorations" at 7 p.m. Feb. 10 in the Arkansas Union Ballroom. In coordination with Wood's talks, Tom Devlin, a nationally recognized NASA scientist and educator, will demonstrate interactive earth science programs available to the public free-of-charge through CD-ROMs and the Internet. Steve Cullivan, NASA Marshall Space Flight Center's aeronautics educator, will conduct sessions on Friday for teacher/student teams. NASA exhibits will be on display and participants will be provided with various NASA materials such as posters and CD-ROMs.

Arkansas state government officials, representatives from NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Ala., and the Arkansas Space Grant Consortium and leading educators from around Arkansas have been invited to celebrate this day of science, mathematics and technology.

University Day 2000 Schedule of Events:

Registration 
and continental breakfast 8-8:45 a.m. Arkansas Union Red Lounge

Session 1 9-9:45 a.m. Various campus buildings

Session 2 10- 0:45 a.m. Various campus buildings

Luncheon 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Arkansas Union Ballroom

NASA Speakers and Presentations

NASA ERC Dedication 1:15 -2 p.m. Ozark Hall 104, 106, 107

Session 3 1:15 -2 p.m. Various campus buildings

Evaluation/Dismiss 2:15 p.m.

University Day is sponsored annually by the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences, the J. William Fulbright College of Arts & Sciences, the College of Education & Health Professions, the College of Engineering, and the Center for Mathematics and Science Education (CMASE).