Applications Open for 2021 Young Nebraska Scientists Camp

Young scientists can engage in hands-on learning about viruses and bacteria at a new summer day camp set for June 7-11 at Bellevue University.

Applications for the camp, which is for students entering 9^th through 12^th grades, are open until June 1 and can be submitted online. The cost of the weeklong day camp is $50 but scholarships are available to cover the fee.

Throughout the camp, participants will do things like collect soil samples for local tallgrass prairie sites; learn bioinformatics approaches to analyze microbial meta-genomics sequencing data; analyze how the immune system recognizes and responds to viruses; purify DNA from soil samples; run DNA sequencing and interpret results; set up experiments to stimulate cells with molecules that might be found in viruses; and experience field excursions involving modern laboratory techniques.

“During the five-day camp, students will be using the same equipment and methods that scientists use to study viruses and bacteria,” said Dr. Tyler Moore, Associate Professor and one of the camp faculty.

“We see this camp as a way to build interest and a foundation in key science and STEM concepts,” explained Dr. John Kyndt, Associate Professor and the other primary camp faculty member. He added that students will be able to experience what applied science education and careers are all about. STEM is an education curriculum that focuses heavily on the subjects of science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

The camp is part of the Young Nebraska Scientists program funded through EPSCoR, a partnership of higher education institutions, state and federal government agencies and private industry, and the National Science Foundation (NSF).

For more information, please visit https://yns.nebraska.edu/camps/hs-viruses-and-bacteria.