High school students will conduct laboratory research as part of science camp

Posted June 14, 2017 Print

GREENVILLE, Pa.-- Thiel College, a leading liberal arts college in northwest Pennsylvania, is sponsoring a weeklong science day camp for high school students on its campus starting June 19.

Students in grades 9-12 will get hands-on laboratory experience in actual scientific research labs at the College. Under the guidance of both professors and trained undergraduate mentors, students will aid in performing small-scale biology, neuroscience, and environmental science/chemistry experiments, in order to broaden their scientific skills and knowledge.

The camp runs Monday through Thursday from noon to 4 p.m. During their time at the camp, students will take part in observing and conducting various experiments, including the isolation and identification of amphibian skin bacteria, behavioral tests used to study learning, memory, and anxiety in mammals, an interactive computer simulation of evolution, and outdoor plant/water testing. As a part of these activities, students will draw conclusions about their data and discuss how their experiments are related to real world scientific issues.

“High school students will have a unique opportunity to both observe and participate in research experiments in various fields, including biology, neuroscience, and environmental science, among others,” Thiel College Assistant Professor of Biology and Thiel Science Week Coordinator Christopher Fonner, Ph.D., said. “Specifically, students will see how the ideas and concepts they have learned in their classes can be applied in experiments and research techniques in an actual lab. From this experience, students will not only gain practical experience in performing/assisting with scientific experiments, but will also gain a deeper appreciation for science and how science actually happens.”

Faculty members from the biology, environmental science, neuroscience and psychology programs are participating in the camp, as well as Thiel student Amy Ritchie ’18. Ritchie, of Madison, Ohio, is a senior biology and conservation biology double-major and a 2014 graduate of Madison High School. This is the first year for the camp and organizers already have plans for the camp’s second year.

For more information, contact Fonner at 724-589-2099.