MURFREESBORO, NC – Chowan University Whitaker Library hosted 36 Upward Bound high school students from Bertie, Hertford, and Northampton counties over this past summer. During the session, Sarah Bonner, Reference Librarian and Instructional Coordinator, provided an interactive presentation to engage students on the topic of best internet search practices. Bonner demonstrated how to use the web to attain the most accurate unbiased information for use in research.

As Bonner spoke to the high school students she asked questions to involve them in the process. The students were enthusiastic in their responses. After the presentation, the students put their new skills into practice. Each student utilized a computer in the library with a team of four to search the web and determine if someone who goes to college makes more money than someone who does not.

The experience culminated in a discussion of about what the students found and what sources they used. The conversation included sources that are reliable, keywords that could bias a search, if the author of the source is an expert, amateur or crowd, and motivation of the website. The information the students learn from this session will assist in future academic research they complete in high school.

In addition to the visit at Whitaker Library, students also visit Washington D.C., Smithsonian Museum and Art gallery, Greensboro International Civil Rights Museum, N. C. Aquarium, N. C. State University, Duke University, North Carolina Zoo, and Virginia Aquarium amongst many other educational and fun locations.

Upward Bound is a federally funded program with the intent to prepare students for college. The program is year-round. Writing sessions are hosted on Saturdays in the spring and fall. The summer allows for students to visit college campuses for both classes and tours. The summer slogan is, “If you can dream it, you can achieve it.”

Ms. Hazel Pierce is the Upward Bound Counselor and Recruiter for Chowan University. She visits each school at least three times each month to counsel students in addition to recruiting students into the program. Students are typically recruited in 9th and 10thgrade and remain in the program until high school graduation. Chowan has been involved with Upward Bound for 40 years. Since the relationship began in 1977, over 3,500 students have participated in on campus programs at Chowan.