More than 450 high school students from Queensland, interstate and overseas have enrolled in the 1999 Leo Howard Vacation School starting next week at the University of Queensland.
The annual school, open to students commencing Year 12 in 1999, will be held from Sunday, January 10 to Friday, January 15.
It will expose participants to a full range of University study and lifestyle options. Hands-on activities this year include studies of Fitzroy River turtles, reading the future in people's genes, a visit to the anatomy dissection room, robotics demonstrations, seismic exploration, net surfing, a "mock" murder trial, and visiting the Zoology Department's koalas, echidnas and aquaculture.
Students attend the School as residential or non-residential participants, with accommodation offered in several University residential colleges to gain the added experience of living on a University campus.
"The School helps students make informed and realistic course and career choices," Vacation School organiser Felicia Smith said. "It includes lectures on the University's range of course offerings, entry requirements, career/employment possibilities and financial and accommodation issues."
The 1999 School will offer tours of the St Lucia and Gatton campuses and their residential colleges, and the UQ Ipswich campus, opening for its first student intake in February.
Ms Smith said the full social program included a disco, barbecue, theatre sports and visits to the Schonell cinema and Amazons Aquatic Adventureland. Participants also would have time to use University sports facilities including the swimming pool, squash courts, tennis courts and gym.
"The social program particularly allows students from isolated country areas to form a peer group network with other students who intend continuing on to University after finishing Year 12," Ms Smith said.
Co-organiser Christine O'Loughlin said many participants enjoyed themselves so much they came back to help as Leo Howard Vacation School supervisors.
The Leo Howard Vacation School was founded by the late Dr Leo Howard (1924-1978), a senior lecturer in the University's Mathematics Department and a Deputy Warden of Union College. Dr Howard developed a great rapport with students and fostered this through his love of teaching. The School has grown in popularity from its first intake of 25 students in 1972.
Media contacts: Ms Smith (telephone 07 3365 4758) or Ms O'Loughlin (telephone 07 3365 4752).
