U of M China Center hosted annual China Day for local middle- and high-school students

In its sixth year, China Day brought nearly 900 middle - and high-school students to the University of Minnesota to discuss the upcoming summer Olympics in Beijing and encourage the study of the Chinese language. The China Center, which hosts the event, brought more students than any year previous for the event.

The event was held at 9 a.m., Friday, April 18 at Northrop auditorium, 84 Church St. S.E., Minneapolis, and included a variety of presentations ranging from Chinese culture to the athletes competing in Beijing.

Students from Blake School, Breck School, Minneapolis South High School, Minnetonka High School, St. Paul Central High School, Wayzata High School, Saint John's Preparatory School, Highland Park and Patrick Henry High School attended.

The Office of the President and the Institute of Global Studies sponsored the event.

The Program included:

* 9:00 - 9:20 a.m.: Slide show of area school in Chinese classes

* 9:20 - 10:20 a.m.: Speakers Welcoming, Meredith McQuaid, dean, Office of International Programs; Dr. Yongwei Zhang, director, China Center

Keynote: Professor Chris Isett and Professor Doug Hartmann discussed the upcoming Olympics in China.

* 10:25 - 11:05 a.m.: Jeopardy, Olympics themed game with five categories: facts, sports, athletes, culture and venues.

* 11:05 a.m. - 12:20 p.m.: Lunch with prize drawing and photo exhibit of Chinese cities.

* 12:20 - 12:40 p.m.: Student representatives from each school discussed their Chinese projects

* 1:00 p.m.: Conclusion