VSU Hosts Science Saturday April 18

A scene from the March 14 Science Saturday: Adventures in Math and Computer Science, presented by the College of Arts and Sciences and Department of Mathematics and Computer Science at Valdosta State University.

VALDOSTA — The College of Arts and Sciences and Department of Biology at Valdosta State University will present Science Saturday: You Are What You Eat from 9 a.m. to noon on April 18 in the Hugh C. Bailey Science Center.

Science Saturday: You Are What You Eat is ideal for students in the middle grades. However, all ages are invited to take advantage of this fun-filled and educational opportunity, which will include such activities as How Much Sugar Is in Your Snack, Food Art, How Long Is Your Digestive Tract, Have Your DNA and Eat It Too, and What Do Other Animals Eat.

Science Saturday is supported by VSU’s STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) Initiative and is part of an ongoing effort to inspire the next generation to want to learn more about these areas. Faculty in the College of Arts and Sciences understand that the nation’s future economic prosperity is closely linked with student success in the STEM fields. 

According to the United States Department of Education, only 16 percent of American high school seniors are proficient in mathematics and interested in a STEM career. President Barack Obama has called on the nation to develop, recruit, and retain 100,000 STEM teachers over the next 10 years. He has also asked colleges and universities to graduate an additional one million students with STEM majors.

Science Saturday activities are free of charge and open to the public.

The is the last Science Saturday of the 2014-2015 academic year.

Science Saturday: You Are What You Eat is hosted by Dr. Emily K. Croteau, an assistant professor of biology specializing in population and conservation genetics. It is sponsored by DuPont, CJB Industries Inc., Lovell Engineering Associates PC, and Saft.

Contact the College of Arts and Sciences at (229) 333-5699, Dr. Emily K. Croteau at ekcroteau@valdosta.edu, or Dr. Gary L. Wood, coordinator of VSU’s Center for Applied Research and STEM Initiatives, at lwood@valdosta.edu to learn more.

On the Web:

http://www.valdosta.edu/colleges/arts-sciences/

http://www.valdosta.edu/colleges/arts-sciences/stem-education/welcome.php

http://www.valdosta.edu/colleges/arts-sciences/biology/

Valdosta State University’s 2013-2019 Strategic Plan represents a renewal of energy and commitment to the foundational principles for comprehensive institutions.

Implementation of the plan’s five goals, along with their accompanying objectives and strategies, supports VSU’s institutional mission and the University System of Georgia’s mission for comprehensive universities. 

The story above demonstrates VSU's commitment to meeting the following goals: 

Goal 1: Recruit, retain, and graduate a quality, diverse student population and prepare students for roles as leaders in a global society.

Goal 3: Promote student, employee, alumni, retiree, and community engagement in our mission.

Goal 4: Foster an environment of creativity and scholarship.

Visit http://www.valdosta.edu/administration/planning/strategic-plan.php to learn more.