Monday, August 03, 2009

Students from D.C. Virgo Middle School, benefiting from a $50,000 grant from GE- Hitachi Nuclear Energy, are increasing their technology savvy at the University of North Carolina Wilmington in preparation for high school and college. Many of the participating students aspire to be the first in their families to attend college.

The students, returning for a second year of the program, called Millennium Education Technology and Leadership (METAL), will showcase their achievements 3:15 - 4 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 4 in UNC Wilmington Computer Information Systems Building, room 2005.

METAL camp students participate in a variety of hands-on learning activities, including creating Web page content, computer programming, computer security and team building/communication. The three-year METAL program was established last summer by GE- Hitachi Nuclear Energy in cooperation with UNCW's Cameron School of Business.

The GE grant provided each METAL student with a laptop, software and a personal mentor to offer support throughout the school year. GE professionals and UNCW faculty and staff work together to guide learning experiences for the campers.

"Today, information technology is tightly bound to a student's learning experience," said George Schell, associate dean of the Cameron School of Business and a faculty leader of the camp. "GE-Hitachi Nuclear and UNC Wilmington are committed to providing information technology and mentorship resources to METAL students. We believe our joint efforts will give these students an advantage to help them achieve their education goals."

Media are invited capture photo opportunities and interviews with METAL camp participants.

Media contact:
Joy Davis, UNCW marketing and communications, 910.916.8603 or davisjc@uncw.edu.