Editors: Photographers and reporters are welcome to attend the lecture or lab sessions but are asked to contact CU-Â鶹¹ÙÍø Community Relations in advance at (303) 492-8384 to arrange.
More than 120 science enthusiasts in ninth through 12th grade will visit the University of Colorado at Â鶹¹ÙÍø for a first-hand look at a major research university on Thursday, Feb. 26.
The young scientists, all members of the Colorado Wyoming Junior Academy of Science, will hear presentations from some of the campus's leading scientists and visit CU-Â鶹¹ÙÍø research facilities.
Participants will kick off their visit with a presentation by Carl Wieman, Nobel Prize winner and distinguished professor of physics, at 9 a.m. in Old Main Chapel. Wieman will talk about his discovery of the Bose-Einstein condensate and the path he took to becoming an award-winning physics researcher.
Students will then break into groups and visit active research laboratories like that of Leslie Leinwand, professor and chair of molecular, cellular and developmental biology. Leinwand's groundbreaking work studying the genetic roots of heart disease led to the creation of a company listed by Red Herring magazine as "one of the 100 companies that will shape the future of the world."
Other students will participate in DNA fingerprinting in the new Discovery Learning Center with Janet DeGrazia, senior instructor of chemical engineering.
The day will wrap up with a lunch sponsored in part by Blackjack Pizza, and a talk from research associate Brian Hynek of the Laboratory of Atmospheric and Space Physics about the current Mars Rover missions.
Hosted by CU-Â鶹¹ÙÍø Community Relations, the visit continues a long tradition of inspiring young researchers through on-campus experiences. Please call Erin Frazier of CU-Â鶹¹ÙÍø Community Relations for more information at (303) 492-8384.