HU TO HOST ANNUAL VIRGINIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCE, VIRGINIA JUNIOR ACADEMY OF SCIENCE MEETING

Hampton, VA - Hampton University will host the 80th Annual meeting for the Virginia Academy of Science on May 22-24 and the 61st Annual Virginia Junior Academy of Science on May 21-23.

This will be the first time Hampton University hosts the conference and only the second time in the VAS 80-year history for the meeting to be held at a Historically Black College or University.

The meeting will include paper and poster presentations, lectures and exhibits. A special working session sponsored by the State Council of Higher Education will be open to the public. The panel will discuss "The SCHEV Core Competencies for Virginia Public Colleges and Universities: Scientific and Quantitative Reasoning" on May 22 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. in Turner Hall.

Hampton University physics professors Dr. Oliver Baker and Dr. Cynthia Keppel, who also work with Jefferson Laboratory, will give the Sidney S. Negus Memorial Lecture on May 23 at 6 p.m.in Turner Hall. Keppel will discuss an application of nuclear physics techniques to medical imaging and Baker will discuss QuarkNet and the ATLAS program.

The "Flora of Virginia" symposium will be held on May 24 from 9 a.m. to 12 noon in Turner Hall. Researchers will discuss the historical exploration of Virginia's plant diversity, its rare plants and conservation methods.

"As President of the VAS and a member of Hampton University's faculty I am extremely excited that the VAS/VJAS Annual meetings will be hosted at Hampton University," said Robert Willis, chair of the department of Computer Science. "We are preparing to welcome 800 middle, high school and college students as well as 300 teachers, professors and scientists."

VAS is the fourth largest state, region or city academy of science in the U.S. It was founded to promote the civic, academic, agricultural, industrial and commercial welfare of the people of Virginia. Exemplary programs have included the first comprehensive multidisciplinary studies of the James River Basin and the Great Dismal Swamp. It has also been instrumental in recruiting volunteer research assistance to Virginia in the instance of the kepone pollution disaster and leadership in establishing the Science Museum of Virginia.

VJAS has been ranked among the top three state junior academies for over two decades. Secondary students conduct and report original research according to the highest ethical and professional standards.

"Hampton University will be the place to see what the VAS/VJAS are all about- the improvement of the state of science education in the Commonwealth. It is an extraordinary experience to see the high level of science experiments conducted by our youth," Willis said.

The pre-registration deadline for both meetings is May 13. For information about registration, visit www.hamptonu.edu and click on the HOT NEWS button, then click on the VAS link.

For additional information, please contact: Kia Dupree (757) 727 - 5255 or via email: kia.dupree@hamptonu.edu