PHYSICS

The Ohio Supercomputer Center (OSC) has selected 18 of Ohio's middle-school girls to participate in its Young Women's Summer Institute (YWSI) on August 1-7, 2004 in Columbus. YWSI is a week-long program sponsored by OSC for middle-school girls in Ohio. It is designed to promote computer, math, and science skills as well as provide hands-on experiences. YWSI helps girls develop an interest in these subjects by allowing them to work on a practical, interesting scientific problem using the latest computer technology. YWSI is a response to girls' lack of interest in math and science and women's low participation in the science and technology fields, and in particular, information technology. YWSI introduces girls to exciting careers and job opportunities by surrounding them with women who are successful in these fields. In addition, teachers are selected to assist with YWSI and take what they learn in the program back to the classroom. The YWSI admissions process is very selective. In their applications, students must submit an essay and provide at least two teacher recommendations. OSC chose the following applicants: Sarah Ambach Springboro Jr. High School Springboro, Ohio Alice Beckman-Jamison Teays Valley Middle School Ashville, Ohio Courtney Branson Teays Valley Middle School Orient, Ohio Claire Burtch Parkway Middle School Rockford, Ohio Nadyia Chavis Franklin Alternative Middle School Columbus, Ohio Chenoa Courtney Kettering Middle School Kettering, Ohio Melissa Eier Glenwood Middle School Findlay, Ohio Jillian Frost Bucyrus Middle School Bucyrus, Ohio Kristin Gunn Milford Junior High School Milford, Ohio Megan Lonsdale Wedgewood Middle School Columbus, Ohio Devina Mehta Davis Middle School Dublin, Ohio Caroline Oldstone-Moore Roosevelt Middle School Springfield, Ohio Megan Passwaiter Willowick Middle School Willowick, Ohio Kathryn Reed Malabar Middle School Mansfield, Ohio Kathryn Reilly Kettering Middle School Kettering, Ohio Diana Saintignon St. Mary’s School St. Mary’s, Ohio Xiaojing Wu Karrer Middle School Dublin, Ohio Nina Zalenski Davis Middle School Dublin, Ohio More information is available at www.osc.edu/ywsi . A second YWSI program is offered by Kent State University in Kent, Ohio. YWSI is funded in part by Battelle, Procter & Gamble, American Electric Power, and Online Computer Library Center.