By April Reese


University of Georgia

Students interested in plant science careers got a low-cost
look
at the possibilities in the Georgia Plant Science Scholars
program at the University of Georgia June 25-27.

In its fourth year, GAPSS is designed to introduce to high
school
students available opportunities in plant sciences. The UGA
College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences was host to 23
high school students from across Georgia and Florida.

The students toured the UGA campus, including the Botany
Greenhouse, Sanford Stadium and the CAES departments of crop and
soil sciences, horticulture and plant pathology.

They spent time at the State Botanical Garden of Georgia and
took
part in hands-on activities. They were introduced to faculty,
staff, graduate students and industry representatives from across
the state.

The program costs the students only $30 which includes meals,
tours, accommodations, entertainment and a T-shirt. The program
also receives funding support from sponsors.

Besides the CAES departments, this year’s sponsors were Mr.
and
Mrs. James Miller, Bob Parker and Golden Peanut Company, the
Agricultural Commodity Commission for Cotton, Papa John’s Pizza,
APS Foundation and the UGA Warnell School of Forest
Resources.

If you’re interested in the program and want to learn more or
sign up for next year, write Kisha Shelton at the Department of
Plant Pathology, Athens, GA 30602-7274. Or e-mail her at
kshelton@uga.edu, or call her at (706) 542-1426.