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Deadline Nearing For Argonne Lab Girls' Program

Also, Graduating Seniors Can Apply To National Youth Science Camp

ARGONNE, Ill. (AP) -- The deadline is nearing for girls in sixth through eighth grades to apply to participate in Argonne National Laboratory's annual Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day.

The U.S. Department of Energy program is Feb. 24 at the laboratory in the western suburbs. Applications are due Friday. Argonne environmental engineer Molly Finster says the goal is to encourage girls to pursue interests in science and engineering.

Students will spend time with a mentor, tour the laboratory and attend presentations and do hands-on activities.

Sixth, seventh and eighth grade girls from the Chicago area who have interests in math, science and engineers are eligible to apply. Students are selected by lottery.

Meanwhile, graduating high school seniors from across Illinois now have the chance to apply to attend the National Youth Science Camp this summer in West Virginia.

Gov. Pat Quinn says he would like Illinois students to apply for a full scholarship for the month-long program. Illinois will have two student delegates who Quinn will select. The program takes students from every state.

The governor's office and the Illinois State Board of Education will review Illinois student applications for the program.

The camp includes lectures and research projects focused on a variety of scientific fields. Students also present their own seminars.

(TM and © Copyright 2010 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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