The PAL summer program is in full swing now, with week three officially in the books.
To kick off the trips, staff and students made the trip to Buie’s Creek to visit Campbell University. While there, they were given a tour and a detailed overview of majors offered and campus life from an admission’s counselor. Students were also given a goodie-bag filled with information pertaining to the university for future reference.
On Wednesday, the PAL made a short trek over to the Central Carolina Community College Dunn branch to tour the facility. They were given a history of the program and building, including learning that the site once housed the PAL program itself before moving to their current location. They also walked through the barber shop classroom and senior center.
Thursday offered the most exciting trip of the summer so far with a drive to Wilson to visit the Imagination Station. Once a post office and courtroom, the Imagination Station now houses a three-story museum and herpetarium for reptilian and amphibian animals. While there, the students were shown around an area based on microbiology and astronomy. There was also an area featuring exercise equipment that was repurposed as learning tools for children as well as rock-climbing walls. The second floor displayed the animal exhibits, which included several species of turtles, iguanas, and snakes. In one of the old courtrooms, the older students were given three small sharks to dissect and explore. The younger students were given a live chemistry lesson on elements and reactions within the environment. The third floor featured an exhibit on various aspects of North Carolina history.