BCC MAKES LEARNING SCIENCE FUN

Supply, NC - Twelve Brunswick County Early College High School (BCECHS) students recently participated in a full day of marine biotechnology activities at UNCW's Center for Marine Science. Students began with a trip on the Research Vessel Cape Fear, where they took water and sediment samples, and trawled to sample the sea life. Students were taught to assess plankton tows for types of microscopic life and learned to identify types of phytoplankton. After the excursion, they took a trip Wrightsville Beach to examine fouling communities and estuarine life. Students looked at sponges, seaweeds, clams, oysters, and seined for larval fish. The day ended with a tour of UNCW's science building (Dobo Hall) and dinner in the campus dining hall. The experience was funded by the BioNetwork grant, "Brunswick County Catalyst for Science Education". Rebecca Stanley and Lorry Fitzpatrick, science teachers from BCECHS, served as sponsoring teachers. Dr. Vicky Snyder, BCECHS principal, Seconda Seifred, BCECHS Counselor, and Dr. Kimberly Jones, Brunswick Community College Chemistry Professor, also participated in the day.

BCC recently hosted two Brunswick County Teacher's Workshops on the main campus in Supply. Both workshops were sponsored by the BioNetwork grant, "Brunswick County Catalyst for Science Education". Steve Spangler Science's Julie Gintzler held a day of science fun for Brunswick County teachers. Ms. Gintzler presented Storytime Slime to 24 K-2nd grade teachers, as an exciting way to incorporate science across the curriculum. The workshop was the first event held in the new events center addition to Odell Williamson Auditorium. Teachers learned some new tricks, made slime, rainbow crystals and exploded soda with Mentos candy.

North Carolina State University's Science House also presented a workshop on technology in the laboratory to Brunswick County middle and high school teachers. Teachers had the opportunity to use Vernier probes to enhance laboratory learning. The June county-wide workshop was the final in a series of professional development workshops. Rebecca Stanley and Lorry Fitzpatrick are two dynamic science teachers with the Brunswick County Early College High School who participated in five previous workshops that were held by Scott Ragan of NCSU's Science House. They used their experience and then led this workshop. The initiative was a "train-the-trainer" experience provided through BioNetwork, in an effort to create a strong foundation for science education in Brunswick County . BCC secured the grant money from BioNetwork in 2007.

Brunswick Community College is a public, two-year educational institution, chartered in 1979 and centrally located in Brunswick County, providing accessible and affordable programs and services that meet the educational and cultural needs of the community and providing opportunities for individuals to be successful.