Heart of the matter

It may look like red-dyed water oozing through a plastic hose, but donāt tell that to the seventh graders clustered around the double-pump mechanism. For them, itās a heart patient about to hit trouble with plaque ÷ small beads the students are poised to drop into the tubing that substitutes as a human circulatory system.

Hands-on experimentation has become a staple in elementary science and math classes in South Carolina.

Now, thanks to a grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission and the leadership of the University-based Anderson Oconee Pickens (AOP) Hub, the innovative kits are making their way into the stateās middle schools. The $165,000 grant will ultimately help provide kits to about 10,000 seventh and eighth grade students in the region.

The AOP Hub, a national leader in kit-based science and math education (Science and Math To Go!), is part of the S.C. State Systemic Initiative, a coast-to-mountains system of math and science resource centers designed to improve S.C. schools.(www.ces.clemson.edu/aophub)

Combating poverty

Clemsonās Institute on Family and Neighborhood Life will receive a $3 million grant to assist rural community groups in getting help to combat the effects of poverty.

The institute will receive $1 million annually for three years from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to provide technical assistance and to distribute grants to faith- and community-based organizations for programs related to poverty. The award is distributed from the Compassion Capital Fund Demonstration Program.

Clemson faculty and staff will help rural organizations learn how to build collaborations, write grants and implement service programs. In addition, $300,000 of the award will be distributed directly to rural organizations as part of a mini-grant program. For more information, contact Mark Small at 864-656-6286, msmall@clemson.edu; or Richard Campbell, 864-656-6323, rcmpbll@clemson.edu.

Project Turnaround

Clemsonās Youth Learning Institute offers Project Turnaround ÷ a program helping six S.C. counties curb truancy in grades six through nine. More than 230 students have participated in the program at R.M. Cooper 4-H Leadership Center in Summerton since its inception. Results so far indicate that participants show 65 to 89 percent improvement in self-esteem, decision-making and other key areas.

Students who have been held in contempt of an order to attend school or referred from solicitorās offices, school districts or the department of juvenile justice participate in activities that help them make positive changes in behavior and attitude.

The Universityās Cooper 4-H Leadership Center has been involved in youth camping and experiential education for more than 50 years and adventure programming for more than a decade. The Youth Learning Institute also operates the W.W. Long 4-H Leadership Center in Aiken. For more information, contact Stephen Lance at 803-414-1735 or slance@clemson.edu.

Safe food

Clemson will receive $573,000 in grant money from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to fund a project that will develop educational programs and identify unsafe food behaviors. The grant is a part of a $14.2 million USDA plan of integrated food safety research, education and extension projects. The project, in collaboration with Georgia and North Carolina, is directed toward the retail food industry.

Military Heritage

Army and Air Force ROTC units, in collaboration with the Clemson Corps, paid tribute to Americaās military in November, including pregame and halftime events during the Clemson-Maryland football game.

A special feature at the latest Military Appreciation Day was the unveiling of the Scroll of Honor, a tribute to members of the Clemson family who died during war, armed conflicts or peacetime operations. For more on Clemsonās military heritage or to access the Scroll of Honor, go to www.clemson.edu/military on the Web.

Camp Odyssey

Children between the ages of 6-12 can participate in the exciting voyage of Camp Odyssey. Held at the Clemson Outdoor Laboratory, the one-week camp offers children fun, challenging and educational group activities including hiking, fishing, canoeing, swimming, arts and crafts, outdoor games, campfire programs, overnight camping trips and more. This yearās camp will take place June 22-28, 2003. For more information, contact Leslie Conrad, 864-646-7502, or conrad@clemson.edu.

You can learn more about Odyssey and other camps and activities at the Outdoor Lab on the Web at www.clemson.edu/outdoorlab.

CAT rolls on

Clemson Area Transit (CAT) has won yet another award, this time for its 4-U Transit in collaboration with Anderson County.

The fare-free bus network is the first in the nation to connect four universities, five municipalities and local, state and federal agencies. It links the University, Tri-County Technical College, Anderson College and Southern Wesleyan University.

The service also provides a connection between Anderson, Pendleton, Central and Clemson. Clemson Area Transit, recently named Best Transit in South Carolina by the S.C. Department of Transportation, operates fare free, seven days per week, all year and is available to all citizens.

For more information, go to www.catbus.com or call 864-654-CATS (2287).