If you've ever wanted to introduce your school-age children or grandchildren to W&L, this is the program for you (and them). For the first time in the history of the Alumni College, we've designed a program especially with children (ages 6-16) in mind. The topic is science, the sessions will be lively and informative, the faculty friendly. This will be a family vacation with "really cool stuff."

Our focus will be primarily on the life sciences and the environment. In this adventure we'll take advantage not only of W&L's new science center and its splendid facilities but also beautiful Rockbridge County through a variety of field trips. For "Life on Earth," we'll begin with an understanding of geology -- "The Earth Underfoot." Following a vivid presentation of the complex nature of rocks, we'll discover first hand some of Rockbridge County's own spectacular geology -- did you know that long ago in geologic time we had beachfront property? In turning to life, we'll begin by peering into life in its smallest forms -- "Life Under Glass: A Microbiologist's View" -- good germs, bad germs, and the world's smallest pets. We'll move on to the human organism by studying aspects of the elaborate mechanism of our bodies, both how we function as "living" creatures and how we sense the world around us. Glimpses into botany, astronomy, and zoology will give us further opportunities for field trips, but we'll also enjoy laboratory experiments in chemistry, biochemistry, and physics. In "Science and Computing," we'll discover how the computer has become increasingly the tool of the scientist. "Underneath, It's All Numbers: Mathematics as a Lens to Everyday Life" will allow us some fun with math as well.

The program is directed by Steve Desjardins, associate dean of the college of arts and science and associate professor of chemistry. Several of W&L's science faculty will participate in lecture demonstrations, laboratory experiments, and field trips. A staff of college counselors will assist school-age children, though we assume that parents and grandparents will want to share all aspects of the program with children -- "really cool stuff" is exciting to everyone.

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Send comments and questions to Robert Fure.