30 Rising Ninth-Graders Learn about Math, Science at LWC

COLUMBIA, Ky. -- Brooke Hachey is glad she listened to her mom.

Hachey's mother, Judy, suggested that the recent Russell County Middle School graduate apply to be a Rogers Explorer. Hachey was accepted into the program, and was exposed to a week of math and science that opened her to a new world of possibilities and opportunities.

"I've learned a lot of new stuff," said Hachey, of Jamestown, Ky. "This was a lot more fun than school -- we've kept going and moved to different things. It's been real interesting."

Hachey was one of 30 Rogers Explorers who spent three days of the the weeklong program at Lindsey Wilson College. The tuition-free program, which is sponsored by the Center for Rural Development of Somerset, helps rising ninth-grade students interested in science, math, and technology start the journey toward careers in those career fields.

A total of 120 rising ninth-graders were selected from the center's 42-county service area to study at Lindsey Wilson, Eastern Kentucky University, Morehead State University and the University of the Cumberlands (Ky.).

"One of the great things about this program is that it gives students a head start on math and science before they begin high school," said Delaney Stephens, Center for Rural Development community liaison and youth programs coordinator. "This also creates an early interest both subjects, and we need to increase the demand for math and science in this region."

During their three days at Lindsey Wilson College, the 30 Rogers Explorers attended classes in communication, genetics and mathematics taught by LWC faculty. They also had a session on leadership taught by LWC Dean of Students Chris Schmidt, and participated in videoconference with NASA in the LWC CenterNet room in the Katie Murrell Library.

"It's been a lot of fun. I like how it is a hands-on experience," said Julianna Singleton of Mount Vernon, Ky., who will be a freshman this fall at Rockcastle County High School. "Being on a college campus and interacting with professors has also been fun. We've learned a lot."

Fellow Rockcastle County resident Alex Spragens of Brodhead, Ky., said being a Rogers Explorer should give him a boost when he applies to colleges in less than four years.

"I really enjoy math and science," he said. "And I knew this program would look really good on a college application."

The Rogers Explorers who studied at Lindsey Wilson College were: Mason Allen of Tompkinsville, Monroe County Middle School; Makayela Banks, Somerset, Northern Middle School; Rayann Boston of Edmonton, Metcalfe County Middle School; Korri Briggs, Campbellsville, Taylor County Middle School; Sara Clark, Berea, Rockcastle County Middle School; Hayden Crain, Center, Metcalfe County Middle School; Paige Dabney, Campbellsville, Campbellsville Middle School; Molly Dalton, Monticello, Wayne County Middle School; Sarah Dick, Burnside, Southern Middle School; Kathryn Doss, Campbellsville, Campbellsville Middle School; Addie Eastham, Greensburg, Oteview School; Gage Edmunds, Edmonton, Metcalfe County Middle School; Brilyn Grant, Edmonton, Metcalfe County Middle School; Philip Golden, Somerset, Somerset Christian School; Brooke Hachey, Jamestown, Russell County Middle School; Sierra Hall, Campbellsville, Pleasant Valley School; Lance Hall, Nancy, Southern Middle School; Laura Hancock, Eubank, Northern Middle School; John Clark Ingram, Greensburg, Green County Middle School; Kylie Jones, Monticello, Wayne County Middle School; Carrie McClellan, Albany, Clinton County Middle School; Audrey Moore, Somerset, Somerset Christian School; Kenzie Murrell, Campbellsville, Campbellsville Middle School; Andrew Roach, Edmonton, Metcalfe County Middle School; Reagan Roberts, Monticello, Wayne County Middle School; Julianna Singleton, Mount Vernon, Singleton Homeschools; Alex Spragens, Brodhead, Rockcastle Middle School; Zachary Wesley, Somerset, Southern Middle School.

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Click here to see pictures from the Rogers Explorers' experiences at LWC.