MECC Now Accepting Applications to 2018 Governor’s School

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Big Stone Gap – Rising high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors are invited to participate in the 2018 Mountain Empire Community College Governor’s School to be held June 11 through June 22 on the college campus.

MECC Governor’s School is open to public and home school students in the counties of Lee, Scott, Wise, and Dickenson, and the City of Norton, who have a 3.0 GPA or higher. This two-week program features a variety of hands-on activities in one of several subject areas selected by the student. Students spend time in the field, in labs, on tours, and in the classroom with the faculty of Mountain Empire Community College. Students who complete the session will receive six college credit hours, tuition-free. In addition to classroom activities, students will participate in field trips to area colleges.

Twelve academic strands will be offered this summer, including:

  • 3-D Animation/Game Design – Are you a gamer? Take your skills to the next level by learning the basic techniques of game design. Create your own 3D game from concept to implementation using traditional and computer-generated animation.
  • Art Illustration for Graphic Novels – Love a good story? Create your own narrative by learning character development and illustration techniques. Students will complete a graphic novel they design.
  • Cyber Security – The FBI anticipates that cyber-attacks will soon become one of the greatest threats to our nation’s security. Fight crime by delving into the minds of hackers. Learn how to prevent cyber-attacks while also preparing for one of the nation’s most in-demand career fields.
  • Drama – Calling all drama queens and kings! Produce your own full-length play and learn the basic components of play production, from lights to sound, set design and character study. Students will premiere a full-length production of their own creation.
  • Drones – Immerse yourself in one of the world’s most innovative new technologies. Learn to build, configure, maintain, and legally fly drones both for fun and for commercial use. An exciting career pathway for those interested in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM).
  • EMS – The EMS strand features exciting activities and practical information including: CPR/First Aid certification, examine and stock an ambulance, prepare for an air ambulance (helicopter) landing, interact with air ambulance medics and nurses, extricate a patient from a wrecked vehicle. Students will participate in a SIM Lab emergency simulation and explore health care careers.
  • Engineering – Be an innovator! Use your technical and creative skills to design 3-D models and animation and solve complex engineering problems. Invent your future in engineering in this exciting field.
  • Entrepreneurship and Regional Tourism – Interested in starting your own business? Southwest Virginia’s tourism industry is dependent on small businesses. Develop your own business concept while exploring the best of our region’s assets.
  • Environmental Science – The mountains are calling. You must go! Learn about the mountains and streams of Southwest Virginia and current and potential threats to these ecosystems. Students will engage in a water quality study on the Clinch and Powell Rivers that will have a long-term positive impact on our region’s water systems.
  • Music – Rockin’ Guitar provides students with an opportunity to build and uniquely design their own electric guitar from a kit. Learn the basics of playing the guitar and perform a song at the completion of the course.
  • Solar Energy – Want to change the world? The future of energy technology is solar power! Learn basic electrical theory while exploring solar and wind technologies in an exciting new career field.
  • Web Design – The future of technology is endless. Learn more about computer programming, application design and development, and robotic technologies. Students will explore career paths in high-paying, high-demand technological fields.

Applications to attend the 2018 Governor’s School will be accepted until May 18, 2018 or until spaces are filled. Limited space is available and students are encouraged to apply early. To view additional information or to download the 2018 application, please visit the Mountain Empire Community College Governor’s School website at www.mecc.edu/govschool or contact John Bledsoe, Governor’s School Coordinator, at (276) 523-2400 ext. 307 or Ann Lane at ext. 363.