Cameron Pharr: Port Discover gives intern
look at hands-on science ed
I decided to volunteer as an intern at Port Discover
this summer, before I head off to North Carolina School of Science and Math. I
can honestly say that I have met some wonderful people both as coworkers and as
visitors to the center.
During their science camp, I had the chance to
supervise some of the children in our area. I was impressed by how much the kids
knew about real world and current science issues, such as the energy crisis and
how we are in search of a better energy source.
Port Discover presents a variety of exhibits ranging
from aeronautics to nutrition. Along with the exhibits, visitors at Port
Discover can look at and enjoy both the live and the preserved animals. Among
others, the live animals include Angus, the bearded dragon, and Ruby and Ebony,
the two rats.
There is also the Kids’ Garden in the back where all
organic and natural plants are grown and shared with the community.
After volunteering at Port Discover, I can truly say
that there is more than meets the eye when you first walk in. The staff has
taken great care of me, even better care than I had hoped. Port Discover could
be better appreciated and supported by our community.
Now I am preparing for my junior year at The North
Carolina School of Science and Math. It is a school located in Durham for
students gifted in the areas of math and science, and offers opportunities to
rising high school juniors and seniors. Students are handpicked by the board of
admissions at NCSSM and are required to be near the top of their class.
Applicants to the school must apply during their
sophomore year of high school and subsequently meet deadlines such as turning in
transcripts and medical release forms. If applicants become “finalists”, they
can choose whether they want to accept the offer to go to NCSSM. Other
applicants are placed on a waiting list and are offered the chance to attend
only if a finalist gives up his or her position.
Along with the academic criteria, the students that
the NCSSM board of admissions is looking for must be well rounded. For example,
most of the students that go to NCSSM either play a sport or participate in
several extracurricular activities. In addition, as a graduation requirement,
each student must complete at least 60 hours of volunteering during either the
summer before junior year or the summer before senior year.
For me, going to NCSSM is an incredible opportunity
to pursue a career in the sciences because of the advanced level of the
instruction at the school. In addition, being away from home in high school is
going to prepare me for what college is going to be like academically and will
teach me how to live on my own and manage myself as an adult.
Port Discover’s guest columnist Cameron Pharr
spent 60 hours volunteering at the hands-on science center for kids. He is the
son of Doctors Maria and Tark Pharr.
