HIGH SCHOOL PROJECT AT ARC IS PRESENTED MONDAY

A ceremony at 1:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 16, at The Applied Research Center (ARC) of Old Dominion University will be the culmination of a research project by students and a faculty member from Menchville High School using the ARC's expertise and facilities.

Johnny Stephens, a physics teacher at Menchville, along with several of his students, built an irrigation model using solar panels donated by BP Solar. These models will be donated to the high school and the Richmond Science Museum.

Stephens and his students spent time at ARC, learning about solar energy, scientific measurements and building the model. The principal of Menchville High School, a representative from Richmond Science Museum and a scientist form BP Solar have agreed to join in the short ceremony.

"The project also provides an opportunity for the appreciation of development of technology and its impact on everyday life," said Mool C.Gupta, ARC director. "Because of this project, one of the students has already decided to pursue an undergraduate degree in engineering at Old Dominion."

The project was supported by the National Science Foundation. The increasing awareness of such projects to the wider community will enhance the students' interest in engineering and science.