Two scholarships to National Youth Science Camp available

Nevada has again been invited to select two outstanding students to represent the state at the 2006 National Youth Science Camp, according to Richard N. Vineyard, with the Nevada Department of Education.

Two graduating high school seniors will receive a full scholarship to exchange ideas with other student delegates, scientists and other professionals from the academic and corporate worlds. The four-week experience includes lectures and hands-on research projects presented by scientists from across the nation; three overnight expeditions into the National Forest; and a visit to Washington D.C. The selected delegates must not only demonstrate academic achievement in science, but also show potential for scientific leadership.

The NYSC experience is offered at no cost to its participants through contributions from the National Youth Science Foundation. Educational and recreational programming, as well as meals, lodging and round-trip air passage on scheduled airlines are provided free of charge.

Delegates will arrive in Charleston, W.V., on June 25 and will depart on July 16. The camp is held at Bartow in the mountains of eastern West Virginia, near the Monongahela National Forest.

The application packet for the 2006 NYSC includes: an application cover sheet, a letter addressed to the Nevada coordinator giving your qualifications and reasons why you will benefit from the experience, a resume, recent transcript, and a letter of support (from a teacher, principal or research mentor).

Applications are available and must be received at the Nevada Department of Education no later than Feb. 21. For more information, or to receive an application packet, contact Vineyard at 687-9195 or e-mail him at rvineyard@doe.nv.gov. Additional information and application materials are also available at the National Youth Science Camp Web site www.nysf.com

Nevada Arts Council offers grant workshops in Carson City

The Nevada Arts Council will offer two back-to-basics grant writing workshops in Carson City on Feb. 1 to discuss grant and program opportunities available to individual artists, educators, arts organizations, schools, public institutions,and nonprofit community groups.

Workshop topics include changes or updates in specific Nevada Arts Council grant programs, answers to most often asked questions, avoiding common mistakes in grant writing, using the application process as a tool for planning, evaluation and collaboration.

"The program is designed so both novice and experienced grant writers will take back valuable information, reducing anxiety about getting it right and building confidence that they can write a well-crafted proposal," said Wendi Gephart, grants program coordinator for the Nevada Arts Council.

As the competition for NAC grant dollars increases, the Arts Council strongly recommends both new applicants and ongoing grantees attend a workshop. Professional development stipends of up to $200 will be offered on a first-come, fist-served basis to constituents who must travel more than 100 miles round-trip to attend the workshop closest to their home.

"We have scheduled a late afternoon workshop for each community to encourage educators to learn about funding opportunities through the Arts in Education Program," said Gary Margolis, arts in education program coordinator.

Workshop and registration forms are at www.nevadaculture.org. Reservations are due in the Arts Council's Carson City or Las Vegas office by 5 p.m. Jan. 30.

For more information, call the Arts Council at 687-6680.

Look at latest technology on Microsoft bus

Computer technology students at Western Nevada Community College and area community/business "techies" will have a chance to sample high-end Microsoft technology when a Microsoft Across America bus stops at the Carson City and Fallon campuses Jan. 17-19.

The bus will be on campus from noon-4 p.m. at WNCC in Carson City Jan. 17-18, and at WNCC Fallon on Jan. 19. It will also be parked outside the Carson Mall on South Carson Street from 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Jan. 16. The public is welcome.

Sponsored by JFG Systems, Inc., of Carson City, the opportunity to bring the bus to the area was a chance to offer something interesting and helpful to the community.

"We wanted to do this as a community service," said Cheryle Schaum of JFG Systems. "It gives WNCC students and the community the chance to try out the types of sophisticated software and hardware that's available in networking and information technology today."

It also provides WNCC students and potential students the chance to see the latest in the server and networking technology that the college's information technology programs teach, noted Computer Technology Instructor Michael Long.

"Bringing the Microsoft bus here generates excitement around the topics that we teach," he said, pointing to the college's degree and certificate programs in computer technology, networking, convergence technology, electronics technology and computer science. Those programs teach students how to support and develop small to advanced computer networks.

Schaum said the bus is loaded with interactive Microsoft products and large screens that visitors can interact with, and is staffed by a specialist who can answer questions.

Long said Microsoft already has a strong relationship with WNCC, offering the latest software at no cost to students in the college's Information Technology programs for their educational use. Those students, as well as potential students, network administrators, computer programmers, and support technicians in the community, will all find the Microsoft Bus a great opportunity to learn about the tech field.

"We are excited to have top-of-the-line equipment and facilities for teaching Microsoft networking topics," said Emily White, a WNCC instructor of computer information technology, as well as a Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer and Microsoft Certified Trainer. "I've taught MCSE and MCSA classes at the college for years and have prepared many administrators and technicians who have landed great jobs and moved upward in the field."