Feb. 29, 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MEDIA ADVISORY

CONTACT: Professor Robert Flores
805-756-2169 | rflores@calpoly.edu

Cal Poly Latinos in Agriculture Host High School, Elementary Students
For College Outreach & Science Lessons

WHEN: March 6 and 7
Specific times: 11 a.m. Thursday, March 6 to 1 p.m. Friday, March 7

WHERE: Various locations and times on campus; see below

WHO: Sponsored by the College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences and faculty, and coordinated by students in Cal Poly’s Latinos in Agriculture club.

FOR: 140 students from 13 high schools and one elementary school in economically disadvantaged areas across the state (see list below)

PHOTO/VIDEO/STORY OPPORTUNITIES:

Abound

SAN LUIS OBISPO – Cal Poly will host an expected 110 students from 13 high schools in economically disadvantaged areas across the state for “26 Hours at Cal Poly.”

The annual event is led by Cal Poly students in the Latinos in Agriculture Club. The event is aimed at motivating high school students to consider professional and managerial careers in California’s agriculture industry.

Elementary school students from teacher Jaime Cuello’s class at Mary Buren School in Guadalupe will join the group for Friday’s final chemistry “magic” lesson, to be taught by Cal Poly Dean of Science and Mathematics Phil Bailey. (11:15 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. March 7 in Building 52 --the Science and Mathematics complex -- room B-05).

“We want the students to return home with a greater understanding of science and technology and how they are applied in agriculture,” said club member Salvador Hurtado, one of four university students coordinating the 2008 events. “We want to encourage the students to go to college, and choose a major in agriculture.”

Workshops scheduled for the high school students include chemistry, embryo transfer, dynamic modeling, soil science, plant propagation, dairy science, food processing technology, and more.

Participating High Schools:

  • All Tribes American Indian Charter School (Valley Center)
  • Bloomington High School
  • Carpinteria High School
  • Corcoran High School
  • Everett Alvarez High School (Salinas)
  • Gonzales High School
  • Hanford High School
  • King City High School
  • Perris High School
  • Santa Paula High School
  • Soledad High School
  • Watsonville High School

* Mary Buren School (Elementary), Guadalupe

Schedule:

Thursday, March 6
11 a.m. Campus Tour (starts from the Bio Resource and Ag Engineering Lab 1)
1-3 p.m. Workshop: World of Plants *
3-5:30 p.m. Workshops: California Cheese; Animal Science; Ag Business*

Friday, March 7
8-11 a.m. Workshops: Dynamic Modeling, Soils in Your World; Embryo Manipulation; *
11:15 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.  Chemistry Magic (Building 52, Room B-05)

* For specific locations, e-mail Teresa Hendrix in Cal Poly Public Affairs at thendrix@calpoly.edu.

 

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