YOUNG SCHOLARS PROGRAM - A STUDY OF THE EFFECT OF SLOW-RELEASE GLASS FERTILIZER ON THE GROWTH OF CORN

The purpose of the Young Scholars Program is to excite and encourage y oung scholars to become interested in science, using hands-on experime nts with ''real scientists'' and ''real research,'' answering critical questions about plant growth requirements, environmental quality, and food production using slow release glass fertilizer as a soil amendme nt. The student participants work on scientific projects at Alfred Uni versity and SUNY Alfred for one-two weeks during the summer, participa ting in group discussions, taking field trips to points of interest an d establishing their experiment parameters and procedures. They contin ue their project at their home high school under the supervision of th eir science teacher. Students return to Alfred for three Saturdays dur ing the school year to update progress on their project discuss result s and develop a poster display explaining their project. The program h as been positively evacuated.