COUNTYWIDE

¢ Russell Babb of Mountain Ridge Junior High School in Highland and Kayson Conlin of Rocky Mountain Middle School in Heber have been named as finalists in the 2007 Discovery Channel Young Scientist Challenge. The finalists were selected from the 75,000 students who entered science fairs nationwide.

That pool was narrowed down in August to 400 semifinalists, and finally 40 finalists. Oct. 21-24 Babb and Conlin will join the other finalists and their families in Washington, D.C., to take part in a series of team-based, interactive scientific challenges focused on this year's environmental theme. The students will compete for more than $100,000 in scholarships and special prizes, as well as the title of America's Top Young Scientists of the Year.

The Discovery Young Scientist Challenge is for students in fifth- through eighth-grade, designed to encourage the exploration of science during the middle school years. This year's competition will focus on sustainability and preservation, with students investigating climate change, global warming, and eco-friendly initiatives such as recycling a green building design.

¢ The 2007 list of hospitals that meet Get With The Guidelines requirements is out, and Utah Valley Regional Medical Center in Provo made the grade. The hospital received a bronze award for the treatment of coronary artery disease and a silver award for the treatment of stroke.

A bronze award means the hospital has maintained the guidelines for 90 consecutive days and a silver award means the guidelines have been maintained for 12 consecutive months. Three other Intermountain Healthcare facilities also made the list -- LDS Hospital, McKay-Dee and Dixie Regional were all recognized.

"This is a remarkable accomplishment for our hospital, as well as for Intermountain as a system," said Dr. John Mitchell, medical director of the cardiovascular surgery program at UVRMC.

Get With The Guidelines (GWTG) is an evidence-based program for in-hospital quality improvement. It is designed to help hospitals use the latest scientific guidelines when they care for coronary artery disease, stroke and heart failure patients.

LEHI

¢ The Lehi Family Literacy Math Center, 34 E. 100 North, is seeking volunteers to teach basic math skills to elementary school children.

Tutors must be between the ages of 10 and 110 and like to have fun, have a desire to help students learn basic math skills, be willing to learn and teach the Cool Tools for Math method, have patience to work with students, be available to teach at least two hours a week, and be available to teach between the hours of 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. on Monday and 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday.

Free training is provided. For more information, call 766-0525 or at 592-3872.

PLEASANT GROVE

¢ Children ages 6-12 can enjoy the Pleasant Grove City Library's after-school activities. At 4:30 p.m. on one Thursday each month, children can explore and expand their knowledge and have fun at the same time.

The classes are free, but participants must sign up and obtain tickets to allow the library to plan. Tickets are available two weeks before the activity at the front desk of the library.

September's activities are Fancy Nancy for girls only on Wednesday. Dressy dress-up is required. On Thursday, Race to Read for boys only will be held. An apple box will be needed for a car.

This story appeared in The Daily Herald on page B2.