The academically talented youths, on campus until Aug. 2, will take courses with university faculty, meet industry experts and be exposed to the emerging technologies of tomorrow.

The venue: The Pennsylvania Governor's School for Information Technology, modeled on the curriculum of Penn State's School of Information Sciences and Technology (IST).

"Students learn how to solve complex problems, communicate ideas, work in teams and manage projects to completion - all of which are the critical thinking skills needed for tomorrow's high-demand careers in information technology (IT)," said Virginia Belser, director.

The student-scholars also have fun.

In addition to classes, the youths will catch an Altoona Curve baseball game, watch the July 4 fireworks they will have seen being set up and visit the nation's top defense companies, Lockheed Martin and Raytheon.

Selected for their interest in IT and recommended by teachers, the students also meet with industry representatives to learn about potential career and educational opportunities in IT.

In addition to units that include robotics and networking, scholars also participate in team-based learning projects. Those range this summer from designing a prototype for a hand-held, wireless device for emergency medical technicians to interviewing World War II veterans for the Library of Congress' Veterans History Project.

Some students also may tutor middle school students in Web site design, movie making and image manipulation.

Launched in 1999, PGSIT offers academically talented high school youths the opportunity to develop the critical skills needed for careers in information technology. Drexel University also hosts 80 high school students as part of PGSIT.