Daily Journal

July 8th

As the day started, everyone left their homes and said goodbye to their parents. Waving at security, some of the students all got on a plane and boarded for a long two weeks away from home. All had a final destination in Knoxville, Tennessee. Students and teachers joined together for an afternoon dinner and movie showing of the Oak Ridge Story. Then, ending the night, a small quick trip to Wal-Mart for students to pick up anything they might have forgot at home.

July 9th

With a wake-up call bright and early students sleepily out of bed and start their day with a yummy continental breakfast at the hotel. Then taking a small tour on our school bus, everyone heads for a ropes course in Maryville, Tennessee, but it was to everyone's surprise that learning and having fun can be disguised together in one large group activity. Tired and hungry students and teachers sat down for a quick lunch at the Maryville College Cafeteria. After lunch, students rushed back to the hotel for some free time where everyone showered and took a nice long nap before individual pictures and dinner. It was after dinner that Bill Landry came as a guest speaker and presented his series called The Heartland Series. Then the most exciting thing happened! ! ! The head advisors presented all students and teachers with their lab assignment and what group they would be participating in.

July 10th

With cappuccino and coffee in their hand students rode the bus to ORNL, but when they arrived they were in for a surprise. GROUP PICTURES!!! However after pictures students teachers and advisors all had a 45 minutes safety talk about the lab and what everyone could and could not do. After all the talking students were met by their mentors and took a quick tour of the entire ORNL building and the scientific projects that were undergo. Then it was time for lunch. After lunch it was time for each student to go to work. Mentors took their students to the labs and started on their projects and individual assignments. After working for four hours, students departed ORNL for the hotel where they then ate dinner. After dinner there was a very quick trip to Wal-Mart and some pool time. Not to long after dinner it was lights out and time to go to bed.

July 11th

This morning students left an hour earlier for the lab and will be there working on their projects until four o'clock in the evening. However after all their hard work and brain activity students get a little fun time and take a journey to the Lost Sea. Walking in the cave and taking the tour students hoped they would get a cave kiss...(a drip of water from the crystal brings seven days of good luck)... anyway after the cave tour students broke into groups and group A attended the bat excursion, while group B stayed at the hotel for a little bit of free time. Then when everyone returned home to the hotel it was time for bed.

July 12th

As the day started we had another wonderful breakfast at the hotel and then went to work on our lab assignments. After working for several hours everyone left for the Outdoor World... (They have everything for any sport) ... and a picnic before the Smokies baseball game, which we had tickets for.

July 13th

Beginning the day everyone found something yummy at breakfast and after that we departed for ORNL. After arriving there we were met by our mentors and worked on our research projects for several hours. It was later that night after dinner that everyone had a lot of free time and games of twister were played in the hall.

July 14th

Today was the first day since arrival that we did not go to ORNL to work on our projects. We started the day out by touring The University of Tennessee where we toured several general areas such as Anthropology, Engineering, and Veterinary Medicine. After touring UT we took a quick tour of PSTCC and then departed for several hours of shopping at the West Town Mall. However after returning home to the hotel students and teachers had the opportunity to travel to the Laundromat and wash their clothes (and for some it was the first time). Then everyone had an extended curfew and stayed up until 11:30.

July 15th

Today was made for students to relax and have some fun, there was no work or talk of our projects and assignments, but it was an eventful day of fun and games. Our first stop was Ripple's Aquarium in Gatlinburg and after several hours there the day was finished at Dollywood where students rode rides and had a load of fun.

July 16th

Starting out Sunday morning, students had an option to attend church or sleep in. Most people slept in and some went to church. When everyone arrived at the hotel there was a large brunch waiting for us. After brunch everyone walked to the American Museum of Science and Energy and had several hours to complete and participate in hands on experiments. Then Students went out to dinner at Ryan's and had a wonderful supper. Following dinner there was a trip to Wal-Mart and the bookstore.

July 17th

Students arrived at ORNL starting a new week and ready to work on their lab assignments and presentations. They were a little tired and confused, but they warmed up quickly and were motivated by their mentors to continue (and finish) their projects by the deadline. After a long day of working, students returned to the hotel for an hour of free time and then departed for dinner at a local restaurant of their choice. A movie choice of Cars, Superman 2, or The Devil Wears Prada satisfied students with a fun filled evening.

July 18th

As the day begins students and teachers wake up to the smell of pancakes and waffles, but it is not long after that they depart for ORNL to work on their lab assignments and projects. It was after the long day of work that they returned to the hotel and had free time, where almost everyone took a nice relaxing nap. After the small break students returned to the ARC dinning/meeting room for a nice BBQ dinner. Then after dinner it was time for more work. students met with their groups and began working on their papers and presentations. Finishing the night was quick trip to Walmart, and then in our rooms at 10:30 p.m.

July 19th

Today was a self-explanatory day. We left for the lab and were there for several hours. After working hard on our assignments we returned back to the hotel and had some free time. During this time students as well as teachers ran around trying to put together their presentations. It was a very hectic couple of hours indeed. After everything was said and done, some went to bed early and others went swimming. Even after swimming for a while, some students spent ample time working on their reports. The day ended at 10:30 p.m.

July 20th

This day had a different feeling for some students; it was the last day for the groups to meet at ORNL and work on their individual group projects. Early in the morning students had a few hours to finish their projects. Afterwards it was time to go back to work at Oak Ridge for the last time. At noon they had a special lunch with their mentors, and then headed back to the hotel early to practice their performances and pack. Bedtime rolled around the corner, and the morning of their final day in the ARC 2006 group would soon arrive.

July 21st

The day started out with tears as students packed their luggage and loaded it onto the bus. They headed out for the Pollard Stadium to put on a show. Each group presented their project in a different and creative manner, shining in their own special way. We had a farewell luncheon with all of our special guests, mentors, and well-made friends as the day came to an end. We said our goodbyes and headed out for home.