BSC Serving as Host Site for
Five Mercer County Schools'
Academic Competitions During
2006-2007 School Year

(Bluefield)-The students may be younger than the college students that typically fill Bluefield State College classrooms, but they have a passion for learning equal to that of students twice their age. That pursuit of knowledge typified all five Mercer County Schools' academic competitions that are being held at BSC during the 2006-2007 academic year.

Throughout the current academic year, many of the best and brightest students in the Mercer County School system will travel to BSC to vie for titles in Math Field Day, Spelling Bee, Reading Bee, and two Battle of the Books competitions.

Dr. Albert Walker, BSC president, is grateful for BSC's opportunity to serve as a host site for these programs. "These teachers and students, along with their families, bring a sense of energy to the campus," he noted. "Learning is a lifelong endeavor, and these young men and women are well on their way to success in their studies and in their careers."

This year’s activities include Math Field Day (held earlier this month), Spelling Bee (January 23, 2007), Reading Bee (April 20, 2007) and two “Battles of the Books” (May 29-30, 2007).

BSC cooperates with the county's schools and with area public school children on a variety of fronts, details of which follow:

BSC'S COLLABORATION WITH REGIONAL PUBLIC SCHOOLS

1-Partner in Education--BSC works closely with the students and faculty at Brushfork Elementary as a partner in education. College employees speak to elementary school students, assist in obtaining grants and help faculty.

2-MathCounts—Each year, BSC faculty and staff coordinate and host the regional MathCounts competition, during which area middle school students compete in a program designed to cultivate excellence in mathematics. Winners advance to the state competition. Last year, teams from eight area schools took part.

3-Model United Nations--BSC hosts and directs a regional Model United Nations program annually. The program is designed to cultivate public school students’ appreciation of world issues, human rights initiatives, critical thinking skills, and public speaking ability.

4-Summer Recreational Sports Program--The 2006 summer program at BSC provided a two-week schedule of activities for disadvantaged area youth (age 10-16), with a combination of athletic and academic activities. Two meals per day and limited transportation were provided. Students received free physical exams and instruction in healthy lifestyles.

5-Bluefield Consortium of Professional Development Schools-- The Bluefield Consortium includes Bluefield State College, Bluewell Elementary School, Bluefield Intermediate School, Princeton Primary School, and Bluefield Middle School. The emphasis of the program is enhancing the preparation of teacher education candidates, developing instructional services to students, and providing collaborative professional development activities. The Consortium was created in 2003.

6-Bluefield State College nursing students recently collaborated with an interdisciplinary team to develop and present an afternoon-long workshop designed to help area children and their families combat childhood obesity. More than 30 area elementary and secondary school students participated in the program at the Wade Center in Bluefield.

7-BSC baccalaureate nursing students have painted, tiled, and completely renovated a classroom at the Wade Center in Bluefield. The room now serves as a community education classroom in which our BSN students present health-related workshops and programs.

December 18, 2006