MARIETTA, OHIO (June 20, 2018)– This week the Educational Talent Search (ETS) program at Washington State College of Ohio (WSCO) is hosting more than 40 sixth through eighth grade students for its annual Summer Career Camp.
“Made in America” is this year’s theme and all week ETS junior high students from Washington, Meigs, Morgan, and Noble counties are learning about jobs and careers that are available in America and specifically, here in the Mid-Ohio Valley.
Donna Muntz, Director of College Access and ETS at WSCO, explained that students have, so far, visited the Washington County Career Center for some hands-on exploration of careers and to learn about some of the programs they offer. They have also visited Sewah Studios, a local business that manufactures cast aluminum roadside historic markers.
“Our primary goal is to make these students aware of the career and educational opportunities that are available to them. We do our best to make each day and every activity exciting and interesting because we are trying to get these kids to start thinking about their futures and what they want to do with their lives,” explained Muntz.
Tuesday’s activities featured three COSI Outreach Workshops. First, students got to explore the engineering, communication, and collaboration process involved in designing a roller coaster. They experimented with corkscrews, loops and dive drops using flexible track, supports and marbles in an attempt to build a great thrill ride.
Next, the students put on their sleuth caps and learned how to conduct a Criminal Science Investigation. Using actual crime case files, they learned the scientific technologies, process, and procedures that help investigators solve the case. Using graphology, they analyzed handwriting on real ransom notes, they traced ink compounds through the use of chromatography and even collected fingerprints.
The last station featured the brain. During the workshop, students focused on exploring the function of the brain and how it divides and processes thoughts. This station concluded with the dissection of a sheep’s brain and allowed students to examine how structure and function unite to make each person individual.
The camp will conclude with tours of Marietta College and Hocking College and the Cincinnati Reds Ballpark.
ETS is a national program designed to identify and assist individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds who have the potential to succeed in higher education. It provides academic, career, and financial counseling to its participants and encourages them to graduate from high school and continue on to and complete their postsecondary education.
This is one of two camps presented by ETS. Last week they hosted 25 high school students for similar events but geared specifically to their age group. These camps, as well as all activities throughout the year, are paid for with funds from the more than $2 million grant WSCO received in 2016, 100% funded by the U.S. Department of Education.
For more than 45 years, Washington State College of Ohio has provided residents of the Mid-Ohio Valley the opportunity to realize dreams, to enhance skills, and to broaden understanding. Whether you are a recent high school graduate or an adult student looking to move your life in a new direction, Washington State has the classes to suit your needs. For more information about Washington State College of Ohio, visitwww.wscc.edu or call 740.374.8716.
