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University of New HampshireUniversity of New Hampshire Scholars' RepositoryUNH International Educator Newsletter Global Education CenterFall 2012Fall 2012, An Oasis of KnowledgeCenter for International EducationFollow this and additional works at: https://scholars.unh.edu/international_newsThis News Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Global Education Center at University of New Hampshire Scholars' Repository. Ithas been accepted for inclusion in UNH International Educator Newsletter by an authorized administrator of University of New Hampshire Scholars'Repository. For more information, please contact nicole.hentz@unh.edu.Recommended CitationCenter for International Education, "Fall 2012, An Oasis of Knowledge" (2012). International Educator: the Newsletter of the UNHGlobal Engagement Editorial Board. 143.https://scholars.unh.edu/international_news/143UNH Center for International Education Newsletterhttp://unh.edu/cie/newsletter/2012/fall/jennings.html[7/13/2016 1:38:58 PM] SearchThe UNH Center for International Education Newsletter Fall 2012Athena Jennings presenting at ProjectSMART’s closing ceremonyBack to index pageSubscribeCenter for InternationalEducation HomeAN OASIS OF KNOWLEDGEAthena Jennings must be driven four hours oneway over narrow roads, which include unlit tarmacthat crosses harsh, remote, and isolated desertlandscapes, and descends for more than fourthousand feet in altitude to reach the north shore of the Red Sea. Needless tosay, such educational excursions are rare for this high school student fromKing’s Academy in Madaba, Jordan, who maintains a passion for marinebiology despite being raised in an arid homeland.Jennings’ science teacher, Mark Kibler, recognized the sincerity of her earlyinterest and encouraged her to apply to UNH’s Project SMART summerprogram for high school students seeking an academic challenge in the fields ofscience, technology, engineering, and math.Over the past two decades, the students of Project SMART have benefitted from practicing science with peers who come fromdiverse backgrounds. Subhash Minocha, the program’s co-founder and director, has worked to increase the attendance of studentsfrom all around the world – creating and fostering relationships with schools from as far west as Alaska and as far east as Greeceand Turkey.“Providing a forum for personal interaction and networking among students from diverse economic, racial, and geographicbackgrounds is paramount to their becoming scientifically literate global citizens,” Minocha said.Even though this was the first time Jennings and her family were apart for a full four weeks, her mother, Cheryl, took it in stride.“I had confidence in the university and how things were done,” she said. “And I knew Athena was having a ball.”In fact, Jennings had the opportunity to experience the complete opposite of her landscape at home.“We went out to the Isles of Shoals one day and stayed overnight – collecting at night and in the morning,” Jennings said of theresearch she and her classmates conducted on the species, gender, and size of carapace of invasive and native crabs found inSandpiper and Smith Coves. “I enjoyed being in an environment with lots of students focused on science.”“Athena grew a lot. It was really stimulating for her to see how much is out there that can be explored,” according to CherylJennings. “She can use this as a launching pad, and I think she will.” Jennings flew from Jordan with Mark Kibler to congratulateher daughter, her teachers and her classmates at the Project SMART program’s closing ceremony.UNH Center for International Education Newsletterhttp://unh.edu/cie/newsletter/2012/fall/jennings.html[7/13/2016 1:38:58 PM]~ Contributed by Victoria Forester Courtland, College of Life Sciences & Agriculture (COLSA)  Copyright © 2015, Center for International Education  •  The University of New Hampshire223 Hood House  •  89 Main Street  •  Durham, NH 03824tel: 603-862-2398  •  fax: 603-862-0169study.abroad@unh.edu  •  international.affairs@unh.edu

Fall 2012, An Oasis of Knowledge

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Fall 2012, An Oasis of Knowledge

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