RASSI (RASEM2 's Summer Science Institute) 2002
This year the summer science institute has the topic of Wildlife in the Southwest. Presenters include Dr. Bestelmeyer of the Chihuahuan Desert Nature Park, Dr. Richman of the NMSU Entomology Department, Justin Veo from the NM Department of Game and Fish, Dr. Houde of the NMSU Biology Department, El Paso Zoo special educational programs and the NM Farm and Ranch Museum.Programs such as RASSI are designed to spark students interest in Math, Science and Engineering in the hopes that they will consider such fields for work as they grow older.
The Institute consists of two, one-week sessions with a different group of teachers and students participating each session. Core staff for the institute are Director Richard Turietta, Co-Directors Yvette Crofford and Barbara Jewett, both teachers in the Las Cruces School District, RASEM2 Office Manager Belen Lowery, Assistant Tim Shanley, and NMSU Students John Burtz and John Herrera. This year the first session had seventeen students and four teachers, while the second session has fifteen students and four teachers. The majority of the students are students with disabilities.
The RASSI Staff would like to thank the following businesses that donated food for lunches for the 32 students and 14 staff of this years camp.
- Albertson's Food and Drug Store of Las Cruces
- Baskin Robbins of Las Cruces
- Church's Chicken of Las Cruces #447
- Hooters Restaurant of Las Cruces
- MAC's Meat
- Peter Piper Pizza of Las Cruces
- Pic Quik Stores Inc. of Las Cruces (Union Location)
- Pappa John's Pizza Of Las Cruces
RASSI Would also like to thank the following bussinesses who also donated to the RASSI Camp:
- Allen Theaters - Movie passes.
- J & J Feed - Wild Bird feed for bird feeders.
- The New Mexico Farm and Ranch Heritage Museum - Family passes.
Thanks for all the support that made this years RASSI Camp great!!