LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ -- Public Service Gas & Electric Company has given Rider University a $5,000 gift to support the biology department's PROBE program. – an outreach program in which high school students and their teachers participate in multimedia learning and a hands-on workshop that instructs them in the theory and practice of modern molecular biology.

"The funds will be used to support the program expansion that occurred during the year," said Dr. Michael Benner, associate professor of biology and director of the program. "We deeply appreciate PSE&G's continued support of PROBE because its means we can reach more high school students and teachers."

"PSE&G continues to be impressed with Rider's PROBE program because it provides a first-rate laboratory experience for the students and science teachers a chance to enhance their skills. We are pleased to support this excellent program," said Don Tretola, director of public affairs for PSE&G.

Dr. Benner noted that during the 1998-99 academic year Rider PROBE taught 20 workshops (up from 16 the previous year) that reached 429 students and 15 teachers from 14 high schools. New schools participating this year were Villa Victoria Academy, Hopewell Valley High School, and Millburn High School.

These workshops, taught by Rider biology professors, give students laboratory-based instruction in modern molecular biology techniques using state-of-the-art equipment

An important development in the PROBE program is its collaboration with The Lawrenceville School to provide intensive, hands-on training for high school teachers through a "DNA Summer Science Institute." Finally, PROBE is also involved a distance learning partnership between Hunterdon Central High School and Asbury Park High School in which Rider serves as the higher education partner via the AT&T Learning Network.