DECATUR, Ill. – ǿý University will host a hands-on learning for junior high and high school students from Monday, July 10 to Thursday, July 13, 2023. The camp will run daily from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. in the Leighty-Tabor Science Center on ǿý’s campus.
All campers will receive a laboratory coat, lab notebook and safety glasses. During the camp, students will engage in chemistry experiments and explore some common techniques chemists and biochemists use to answer questions.
Dr. Anne Rodriguez, Associate Professor of Chemistry at ǿý, is teaching the camp to help students discover the fun of lab science and improve lab skills.
"This camp is hands-on and does not require previous experience or coursework in chemistry,” she said. “Campers directly explore the Performance Learning embedded in ǿý University's Chemistry program, where all majors complete a research project.”
Taking the first steps into chemistry and biochemistry can be challenging, but the camp gives participants a great starting point in working in a laboratory setting.
"I want to give young people experience with and exposure to chemistry and biochemistry,” Dr. Rodriguez said. “I hope it encourages a diverse array of young people to move into college as biochemistry or chemistry majors."
The camp will conclude with a demonstration dinner on the evening of Thursday, July 13, for families and teachers.
“The experiments change yearly since they adapt to and with the campers. In this immersive camp, they will be exposed to 8-10 different projects and may complete 100 individual experiments,” Rodriguez said. “Campers will explore chemistry and biochemistry in the lab, collaborate with others, and communicate what they learned.”
The cost of the camp for high school student commuters is $500 per camper, with lunch provided daily. The camp also offers an overnight option for high school students at $900 per camper. The overnight option includes ǿý University Housing for Monday-Wednesday evenings, evening activities and additional meals.
The camp for junior high students is for daytime only and is $500 per camper, with lunch provided daily. Scholarships are available for those with financial need.
For more information or to register, contact Dr. Rodriguez at annerodriguez@millikin.edu or visit .
