Education briefs
Advertiser Staff and News Services
College-prep effort enrolls 2,028
A college-prep program for low-income students is celebrating the fact that 2,028 middle school students from 32 campuses across Hawai'i have pledged to stay in school, study hard, stay out of trouble and prepare for college.
The first-year enrollment of GEAR UP scholars includes more than one-third of the class of 2006 from schools that participate in the GEAR UP program, which stands for Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs.
GEAR UP operates with a $10 million federal grant to Hawai'i from the U.S. Department of Education. It is a collaborative project of the Hawai'i Department of Education and the University of Hawai'i.
The goal is to encourage more Hawai'i students, especially those who come from a high-poverty background, to have high expectations and academic goals.
During high school, GEAR UP scholars are invited to workshops, mentoring programs and college campus visits to help prepare them for college. They can also apply for need-based scholarships.
For more information on GEAR UP, go to www.gearup.hawaii.edu or call 956-3879 on O'ahu or toll from the Neighbor Islands at (866) 808-4327.
Straub program awaits 10 students
College students interested in a career in medicine can apply now for Straub Foundation's 2003 Summer Student Research Program.
During the eight-week program, research scholars are assigned to foundation-sponsored projects, offered hands-on experience in clinical research and participate in a research and education curriculum.
Eight to 10 research scholars will be invited to participate in the summer program from June 16 through Aug. 8.
For additional information, call the Straub Foundation at 524-6755. Applicants are encouraged to request a personal interview to learn more about the program. The deadline to submit applications is Feb. 28.
Kapolei library sets story time program
The new Kapolei Public Library will host three preschool story time programs in January.
Preschoolers ages 3 and up and their caregivers are invited to attend the free Monday story time programs at 10:30 a.m. Monday, Jan. 13 and Jan. 27.
Kapolei Public Library is at 1015 Haumea St.
To request a sign language interpreter, call Library Development Services five to seven days prior to the programs at 831-6878.
For other library information, call the public libraries branch at 831-6881.
Girls' math forum at Kapi'olani CC
The American Association of University Women's Honolulu Branch will host GEMS 2003 — the Girls Engaged in Math and Science conference — from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday at Kapi'olani Community College.
The conference for fifth- and sixth-grade girls is designed to motivate girls interested in math and science to retain that interest. Professional women conduct workshops on careers that include astronomy, biology, chemistry, engineering and pharmacy. Students attend two morning workshops.
Registration fee is $20, and the first 250 applicants will be accepted. Some scholarships are available upon request.
For more information, call 537-4702 weekdays between 9 a.m. and noon.
Kane'ohe library to feature author
Kane'ohe Public Library will host mystery novel author William M. Stephens at 2 p.m. Jan. 12.
Stephens will make a presentation on his new mystery novel, "Reddy & Abel."
Kane'ohe Public Library is at 45-829 Kamehameha Highway next to the Kane'ohe police station. For more information or to request a sign language interpreter, call the library at 233-5676.
