School Notes

Thursday, January 22, 2009

Summer Camp Expo Planned This Weekend

White Flint Mall will host the 14th annual Summer Camp and Programs Expo from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday.

Organizers expect nearly 100 exhibitors from across the mid-Atlantic region, including representatives from day-care, overnight, religious, special needs, equestrian and other types of camps. Several exhibits will offer free entertainment for families.

The event is free and will take place throughout the mall at Rockville Pike and Nicholson Lane in North Bethesda. A list of participating camps is expected to be available at http://www.shopwhiteflint.com.

Goal-Setting Program Targets At-Risk Youths

Future Link, a nonprofit organization that provides support to at-risk Montgomery County youths ages 16 to 25, graduated seven students from its 10-week "Getting Beyond the System" self-advocacy seminar last week. The nonprofit group was established last year.

The program, developed by the Youth Advocacy Center in New York, teaches critical thinking and problem-solving skills to students aiming to establish short- and long-term career and personal goals.

Future Link directs its services at youths who are at risk for addiction or homelessness, including those who have aged out of foster care, emigrated from another country, lived in shelters, been physically or sexually abused or lacked adult support, resources and connections.

A free informational session on the next course, which starts next month, is planned for 4:30 to 6 p.m. Wednesday in the Humanities Building at Montgomery College's Rockville Campus, 51 Mannakee St. Pizza and other refreshments will be provided.

For information, visit http://www.myfuturelink.net.

Middle School Scientists Invited to Vie for Prize

Students in fifth through eighth grades are eligible for the Discovery Education 3M Young Scientist Challenge, a science competition offering a grand prize of $50,000 in U.S. savings bonds and the title of America's Top Young Scientist.

Students are asked to create a one- to two-minute video that offers an innovative scientific solution to one of the following problems:

· How can I play my music system for my own enjoyment without disturbing the rest of the house?

· What can I do to the soles of my shoes to make them better perform when I skateboard?

· What can I do to reduce the glare on my television when I'm playing video games?

· What device or method can I create that might help lower my family's heating or cooling bills?

Entries will be judged on creativity, persuasiveness, classroom suitability and overall presentation. Production skills will not be judged; videos may be recorded on cellphones or digital cameras.

Videos must be submitted online by May 20. For submission guidelines, examples of entry videos and information, visit http://www.youngscientistchallenge.com.

Gaithersburg Scholarship Focuses on Character

Gaithersburg officials are accepting applications from Gaithersburg high school seniors for the W. Edward Bohrer Jr. Memorial Character Counts! Scholarship. Past winners have received $1,500 to $3,000 in scholarships.

Applicants are judged on the basis of personal merit, financial need, commitment to higher education and their embodiment of the program's Six Pillars of Character: trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring and citizenship.

Applications, due by 3 p.m. April 17, are available through school guidance counselors, principals, senior class sponsors and on the Character Counts! program page of http://www.gaithersburgmd.gov. For information, call the Gaithersburg Community Services Division at 301-258-6395, Ext. 3.

Catholic Schools Schedule Week of Open Houses

Our Lady of Lourdes School, 7500 Pearl St. in Bethesda, will kick off Catholic Schools Week on Sunday with a bake sale following all Masses at the school's adjoining church. The sale will raise funds for a school service project in which students will make fleece blankets for the homeless.

Through the week, students will also provide a luncheon for the faculty, attend a production by the Percussion Dance Ensemble and welcome visitors to the school's open houses Tuesday. The open houses are scheduled from 9 to 11:30 a.m. and 1 to 2:30 p.m. For information, call 301-654-5376 or visit http://www.bethesda-lourdes.org.

Schools throughout the Washington Archdiocese also have scheduled open houses next week. The schedule and information on each school are available at http://www.catholicschoolswork.org.

-- Compiled by SARAH MARSTON