Future is at stake in two programs for students

Friday, Oct. 18, 2002 | 9:24 a.m.

Two programs are reaching out to Clark County students to get them to read and think about the future.

The popular Public Broadcasting System cartoon aardvark Arthur is leading a statewide effort to get every Nevada third grade student a library card.

Every third grader who visits a local library to pick up their library card this fall will receive a custom printed library card holder featuring Arthur. All current third grade cardholders also can receive an Arthur cover by bringing their card to their library branch.

Research shows that children who are not reading at grade level by that time may never catch up, the Nevada Literary Coalition says.

Arthur was chosen for the campaign because his show encourages children to read. A line from one of Arthur's songs, "having fun isn't hard when you have a library card," is the theme for the children's literacy campaign.

Gov. Kenny Guinn's education mandate calls for every Nevada child to read at the third-grade level by the end of the third grade. Research shows that children who are not reading at grade level by that time may never catch up, the Nevada Literary Coalition says.

Middle School students have until Oct. 31 to register for the 2003 National Engineers Week Future City Competition.

The event, entering its 11th year, offers seventh and eighth graders the chance to design cities of tomorrow on computers and in three-dimensional models. The competition challenges students to concentrate on a particular area of urban need and try to resolve typical dilemmas facing cities.

For the 2003 contest, students will investigate the ability of biotechnology to reduce industrial pollution.

Regional winners will be flown to Washington, D.C. for the national finals, Feb. 17-19. First prize is a trip to U.S. Space Camp in Huntsville, Ala.

Las Vegas schools can contact regional coordinator Wendy Fenner at 455-6071 or e-mail her (wfenner@co.clark.nv.is) for further information and registration forms.