5/22/03

AU ANNOUNCES SUMMER Y.E.S. CAMPS FOR GRADES 4-11

AUBURN -- The Auburn University College of Sciences and Mathematics is recruiting rising students in grades 4-11 for its Summer Youth Experiences in Science Camps, a week long math and science summer enrichment program.

Summer 2003 camps will offer many new and exciting courses such as a Natural History Field Course, LEGO Robotics, Marine Biology, To Catch a Thief (Forensics) and several others, says Mary Lou Ewald-Howard, outreach director for the college.

Also new this year, all camps will be the week of June 23-27, with three different camps scheduled during the week for three different age groups including: Junior Scientists Camp for upcoming 4th-6th grades, Youth Scientists Camp for upcoming 7th and 8th grades and Scientists Camp for upcoming 9th-11th grades.

Residential and commuter options are available for the Youth Scientists and the Scientists Camps and a half-day option is available for the Junior Scientists. The price for the camps ranges from $229 to $479. The Youth Scientists half-day option is $99.

Applications are due May 30, and can be downloaded by clicking here. Descriptions of all courses are also available at the website.

Applications must be mailed to Mary Lou Ewald-Howard, 108 Tichenor Hall, Auburn University, AL 36849 or faxed to 334/844-3409. Space is limited to 15-20 children per course.

"Y.E.S. is designed to give quality science and math instruction with mini-courses offered in biological sciences, physical sciences, mathematics and computer technology," says Ewald-Howard. "Each camper attends a three-hour morning class and a different three-hour afternoon class. Auburn University faculty and exceptional public and private school teachers teach the classes. The staff to camper ratio is approximately 1 to 7 for classes and 1 to 12 for nightly activities."

During the week on the campus of AU, campers will experience explorations about fossils, rockets, forensics, river creatures and much more. There will also be field trips to local areas of interest including the Tallapoosa River Valley, AU College of Veterinary Medicine, Southeastern Raptor Rehabilitation Center, Donald E. Davis Arboretum, the Auburn Solar House and more.

Courses to be taught vary by grade level, but include: (New classes listed in bold)

** To Catch a Thief Forensics (grades 4-6): Students will be involved in a variety of hands-on experiments and activities related to forensic science. Some of the topics include: the D.C. sniper, anthrax, autopsy and others.

** Silly Putty Science (grades 4-6): Students will experience the "WOW" of chemistry through experimentation in the world of Polymer Chemistry. Students who attend will see the chemistry in their world come alive by creating Silly Putty and other slimy concoctions.

** Rocket Science (grades 4-6 and 7-8): Students will work in teams to design a water rocket capable of launching and landing a raw egg. Separate prizes will be awarded for team design and mission success.

** Marine Biology (grades 4-6 and 9-11): The wonders of the ocean come to AU as students study a variety of animals such as fish, crabs, shrimp and the ecosystems in which they live.

** Aquatic Science (grades 7-8): Students will experience the fun of exploring environmental science in their backyard. Through local field trips and lab activities, students will explore the following topics: microscopic pond life, life in soil, stream ecology (Water Watch), indoor aquaria and fish studies, habitat games, tree studies and much more. ** Polymer Chemistry (grades 7-8): Students will use laboratory equipment to study chemical reactions and principles, experiment with ghost crystals and shrinky dinks, grow creatures and create and analyze Silly Putty and other concoctions.

** LEGO Robotics (grades 7-8): Students will experience the satisfaction of designing a device to do a certain task, building that device and then programming it to do the assigned task. The students will use a LEGO interface device and probes, learn how to use the programming language LOGO and use a LEGO CAD program, just to name a few.

** Codes, Cryptography & Patterns (grades 9-11): This course will be related to how math makes the Internet work so well. Students will spend time learning how to make codes, which are great for finding out when messages have errors in them and then find a way to mathematically fix them.

** Geometry of Models and Games (grades 9-11): Learn geometry with hands-on experience while having fun. Participants will play with intriguing European geometric puzzles, learn how to recognize a variety of geometric shapes and learn why soap bubbles have such beautiful shapes.

** Blood and Forensics (grades 9-11): Using a spectrum of current laboratory technology tools, participants will answer the following questions: Where do cells travel after they are made in the body? What do blood cells look like in the microscope? What diseases can you detect by observing blood and urine samples microscopically and through dipstick testing?

** Natural History Tour of the Tallapoosa River Valley (grades 9-11): Students will explore the archeological past and the natural history present of the Tallapoosa River Valley. This course will be a hands-on, field trip oriented experience including: two days at an actual archeological excavation site in eastern Alabama, a canoe tour and more.

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CONTACT: Ewald-Howard, 334/844-5745.