Science program a blast for West

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Updated: August 4, 2011 4:20PM

AURORA — With a highly successful science education program coming to a close, the West Aurora School Board this week applauded the developer of the program.

George Peternel, associate director of the center for talent development at Northwestern University, for the past 3-1/2 years has worked with students from West Aurora High School in a Saturday enrichment program called Building Learning Achieving Succeeding Today — or BLAST.

The program emphasizes mathematics, technology and science.

“Since the program is ending, it was the perfect time to honor him for his work with our students,” Assistant Superintendent for Teaching and Learning Cynthia Latimer said.

The program was held at North Central College in Naperville, but affiliated with Northwestern University in Evanston. There were three sessions this year varying in length between six and eight weeks. This year there were 66 students from West Aurora involved in the program.

Over the duration of the program, Peternel helped arrange for 218 scholarships to West Aurora students, saving them over $113,000 in scholarship fees, Latimer said.

Some students may have been in the program more than one year, but each student involved in the program received the tuition scholarship. The cost of transportation from West Aurora to North Central College in Naperville was also covered.

“This district is extremely appreciative,” Latimer said.