MONMOUTH – Western Oregon University’s Division of Extended Programs will offer many workshops and classes throughout the summer that are open to the public.

Beginning watercolor painting (ages 10 through adult): Participants will learn the basics of watercolor painting including direct painting, wet on wet, dry brushing, color wheel, color schemes, color mixing and matching, use of local color and expressionistic color. This course meets Friday, August 12 and Saturday, August 13 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in unit B of the WOU University Park Conference Center. The course costs $195, which includes some art supplies.

Summer theatre camp (ages 14 to 18): WOU theatre professionals and resident members of Salem Repertory Theatre will work with aspiring actors during this camp, which offers classes, workshops and hands-on production in acting, directing, costuming and make-up. The camp runs from Sunday, July 31 through Saturday, August 6. The cost is $330 for commuters with lunches included or $520 for to stay in the WOU residence halls with all meals included.

WOU/Mel Brown jazz workshop (ages 13 through adult): This workshop showcases an all-star roster of regionally and nationally acclaimed instructors. It is designed to further development in instrumental jazz in a variety of musical settings. Instruction is provided by skill level, which is determined through a placement process on the first day. Attendees will receive instruction in big band, combo, technique, improvisation, jazz composition, jazz history and master class sessions. The cost is $410 for commuters or $540 to stay in WOU residence halls. Discounts are available for more than one person from a family and a limited number of scholarships are available.

Star party: At the conclusion of a local telescope-making class, the students and the public are invited to attend a question-and-answer session hosted by John Dobson with a “star party” immediately following. The party will allow the students to test their telescope creations and give the public a chance to learn more about the universe. This free event will take place on Friday, July 29 at 7 p.m. in room 103 of the WOU Natural Science Building.

Professional development for educators:

Experimental economics for educators: The Economics Department at WOU, in cooperation with the Oregon Council on Economic Education, offers a two-day workshop to introduce K-12 teachers to a variety of classroom experiments that present economic concepts in a fun and engaging manner. For each experiment, students will focus on the relevant economic theory, how the theory is illustrated by the experiment, how to motivate student participation and how the exercise can be adapted to various class sizes and levels. Those who complete the program will receive 10 professional development units. This course meets Friday, July 22 and 29 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in room 105 of the WOU Education Building. The course cost is $25 and the registration deadline is Friday, July 8.

Art for elementary teachers: This course will show its attendees how to add more creativity to curriculum by teaching the language of art while putting discipline based art education into action. College credit and professional development units may be available. This course meets Wednesday, August 3 and Thursday, August 4 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in unit B of the WOU University Park Conference Center. The cost is $205 and some art supplies will be provided. The registration deadline is July 1.

Rehabilitation counselor education program professional development courses: The WOU Rehabilitation Counselor Education Program and the Oregon Office of Vocational Rehabilitation Services have teamed to provide workshops through winter term of 2006. The workshop offered this summer, titled “public policy and legislation,” will take place Thursday, July 7 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Friday, July 8 from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. It will cover the principles of disability-related legislation. This workshop is free and is worth 10 clock hours. At a cost of $45, attendees may receive a CRC or WOU academic credit. To view other workshops visit http://www.wou.edu/provost/extprogram/rehabilitationcounselored.html.

Western Adventures in Math and Science:

Brighten and power-up your world (grades 3 to 7): Attendees of this course will explore how electricity and magnets can be combined to create motors used to power cars. Attendees will build and take home a motorized “house-fly repellant.” The course takes place on Friday, June 24 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in room 125 of the WOU Natural Science Building. The registration deadline is Friday, June 17.

A walk on the wild side (ages 12 through adult): Students will be led on a wildflower walk where the instructor will introduce the tools of plant identification and the names of many common native plants. Attendees should be prepared for a short van ride and a three to four mile hike. This course meets Saturday, July 9 from 8 a.m. to noon and meets in room 125 of the WOU Natural Science Building. The registration deadline is Friday, July 1.

What you don’t see in the water (grades 8 to 12): This course uses special media to compare the numbers and kinds of bacteria in local river samples, emphasizing both naturally-occurring bacteria and bacteria introduced by human activity. Attendees will carry out tests that are used in clinical labs to identify waterborne pathogens, then will use this information to solve provided “mystery” bacteria using medical identification keys. This course meets Friday, July 22 and Saturday, July 23 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on both days in room 201 of the WOU Natural Science Building. The registration deadline is Friday, July 15.

DNA isolation, fingerprinting and sequencing (grades 9 to 12): This course will enable students to experience methods for isolating and analyzing DNA. Hands-on experiences include DNA isolation directly from research microbial mats collected from Yellowstone National Park, DNA fingerprinting and DNA sequencing. This three-day course meets Wednesday, July 27 through Friday, July 29 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in room 201 of the WOU Natural Science Building. The registration deadline is Monday, July 18.

Crime scene investigation, what it takes to be a forensic scientist (grades 9 to 12): Students will get an introduction to the world of crime scene investigation and the various disciplines of forensics, the education requirements for careers in CSI and the Oregon State Police Crime Lab system. Students will also investigate and evaluate evidence at a mock crime scene. This course takes place Saturday, August 13 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. in room 204 of the WOU Natural Science Building. The registration deadline is Wednesday, August 3.

To register for the WAMS courses please visit http://www.wou.edu/nsmwams. Each course costs $20.

For more information on any of these courses or workshops, contact the division of extended programs at 503-838-8483 or 1-800-451-5767 v/tty.