FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Oct. 18, 2006

Contact: Anika Mitchell Perkins

(662) 329-7124

 

MUW to host about 275 gifted students at Plymouth Bluff Center

 

            COLUMBUS, Miss. – Plymouth Bluff Center will become the laboratory for approximately 275 gifted second through sixth graders on Friday, Oct. 20.

            MERIT students from Caledonia, New Hope and West Lowndes schools will participate in a full day of hands-on learning as part of the Outdoor Learning Extravaganza, a partnership between the Roger F. Wicker Center for Creative Learning and the Scientific and Historical Enrichment Project.

            Activities will start about 9 a.m. and will include water sampling aboard the MUW Explorer, a 36-feet long, 10-feet wide floating pontoon boat; environmental science exploration in the outdoor science lab; teambuilding and problem solving through the low ropes challenge course; creative mathematics using the giant geometric shapes and life-size geoboards in the outdoor math lab; flower dissection; interpretive nature walks, scavenger hunts and more.

            Dr. Marty Harvill, professor of biology at MUW, said, “The students will have an opportunity to participate in activities that they normally don’t get to do.”

            Dr. Suzanne Bean, director of the Wicker Center, added, “The Wicker Center for Creative Learning is delighted to be able to host the MERIT students at Plymouth Bluff for innovative learning experiences. We are very proud of the outdoor learning labs and the floating lab at Plymouth Bluff and we are excited about having it used by the kids in our community.”

            The Wicker Center and MUW Explorer project are funded through Congressionally-directed grants through the U.S. Department of Education.

            The Plymouth Bluff Center is operated by MUW on a sylvan, 190-acre riverfront site, which contains an important Cretaceous fossil bed and more than four miles of nature and fitness trails. This beautiful tranquil setting has 24 air-conditioned guest rooms, accommodations for catered dining and a tennis court. Specializing in environmental education, the facility has a state-of-the-art conference center, making it an ideal setting for retreats, workshops and meetings. For more information, call (662) 241-6214.