BSU grant

Bowie State University recently received a National Science Foundation grant in the amount of $559,994 to support the establishment of a genomic training lab and the introduction of a new applied biotechnology course. The grant is part of a larger award totaling more than $3,000,000 which was awarded for a four-year project, "An Integrated Study of Nitrogen Cycling and Storage in Poplar," and involves an interdisciplinary research team from the University of Maryland, College Park and Bowie State University.

The Bowie State portion of the grant will support an intensive summer training course on its campus for undergraduate students selected from nearby Historically Black Colleges and Universities and high school teachers from schools in Prince George's County. The overall goal of the award is to enhance minority participation in the Science, Technology, Engineering and Math disciplines by improving on minority undergraduate students' competitiveness in the biotechnology job market and postgraduate education programs.

Study abroad

High school students are offered an opportunity to spend an academic year, three-month program or summer abroad as part of the ASSE International Student Exchange Program. Students ages 15-18 qualify on the basis of academic performance, character references and a desire to experience abroad with a host family. For information, call 800-677-2773 or visit www.asse.com.

Information night

Bowie High School's SUMMIT Scholar Program will host an information night for interested eighth-graders and their families Wednesday, Nov. 11, at 7 p.m. at Bowie Center for the Performing Arts. Hear about the rigorous pre-Advanced Placement program for the school's most motivated, independent learners. Meet SUMMIT instructors, coordinators and students. Learn about the application process and program expectations. For information, call 301-805-2600, ext. 380 or visit www.pgcps.org.

VFW competitions

Bowie Memorial Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8065 and its ladies auxiliary are sponsoring two competitions.

Voice of Democracy is open to ninth- to 12th-graders who are enrolled in a public, private or parochial high school or home school program. Students will record an original three- to five-minute essay on a cassette tape or CD based on the theme, "Does America Still Have Heroes?" and submit it with a typed copy of the essay and an entry form.

Patriot's Pen is open to sixth- to eighth-graders enrolled in public, private or parochial schools or are home schooled. Students write their own 300- to 400-word essay on the theme, "When is the Right Time to Honor our Military Heroes?" and submit a typed copy and entry form.

Entries for both competitions must be received at the post by Nov. 1, 2009. For information, call Harlan Tucker, 301-262-1010 or Marion May, 301-464-8132.