Eighth-grade students to learn about science

PARKERSBURG - The Volunteer Action Center is seeking applications for the area's eighth-grade "Green Jobs for Girls in the Future" program.

The event will be Oct. 16 at West Virginia University at Parkersburg and will feature speakers and seminars concerning future careers in science, technology, engineering and math.

Wendy Tuck, executive director of the Volunteer Action Center, said girls have a limited window of opportunity to join in the program.

"We can only accept about 225 girls," said Tuck. "We will assign them according to their choices as much as possible, but it's a first-come, first-served arrangement. They should register early by turning their applications in to their science teachers." Registration closes Sept. 28.

Tuck said the program is open to Wood County public and private school students as well as home-schooled students.

Each girl will have a chance to register for four interactive, hands-on workshops that will show them how they can help the environment.

"So many students are concerned about polar bears and melting polar ice, global warming, and vanishing species, that we wanted to show them they can prepare themselves to make a difference. 'Girls Go Green' is a way for the girls to meet people in jobs that are helping take care of the planet, and see the possibilities ahead of them," Tuck said.

The day-long event will feature about 18 career stations that will explore different ecologically friendly jobs and the math and science required for them.

Among the featured speakers are Trina Wafle, deputy director of the National Research Center for Coal and Energy, who will help the girls make an electric car and identify roadblocks for this technology; Dan Harrison of Harrison Construction in Marietta, who will display an energy efficient model house; Jessica Greathouse, state and congressional liaison for the United States Environmental Protection Agency, who will show how to combine a love of writing with a love of science; and Dean Cordle, executive vice president of AC&S, who will demonstrate how biodiesel fuel can be made out of French fry grease.

The event is supported by the Volunteer Action Center, Wood County Schools, WVU-P and community groups and will be financially administered by the West Virginia University at Parkersburg Foundation.

The program will be funded through a $7,000 grant from the American Association of University Women and will be supplemented by funds from WVU-P, the Volunteer Action Center and Wood County Schools. The total cost of the "Green Jobs for Girls in the Future" will be about $19,000.