NATCHITOCHES – The American Society of Microbiology (ASM) chapter at Northwestern State University raised $3,000 by hosting the inaugural Destination Science Camp at the School of Biological and Physical Sciences. The camp provided workshops in several fields of science such as animal behavior, ecology, anatomy and physiology, physics, microbiology, chemistry, and genetics for middle school students between the ages of 10 – 14.
The goal of the camp was to get middle school students excited about a career in science, said Dr. Christopher N. Lyles, ASM club sponsor and camp coordinator.
“Of all the workshops the favorites were definitely dissecting the sheep brain, blowing up candy and calculating the projectile motion of water balloons…..which more times than not hit other students/staff instead of the ‘mark,’” Lyles said. “The camp was a tremendous success. We have phenomenal faculty within the School of Biological and Physical Sciences who donated their time this summer and put together an amazing experience for the attendees. I would also like to thank the camp sponsors Natchitoches Regional Medical Center, Southern Scripts, Natchitoches Area Jaycees and the United Methodist Men – FUMC Natchitoches for their support.”
Proceeds for the camp were presented to the NSU Foundation to build a new endowed professorship within the School of Biological and Physical Sciences. Funds from the professorship are used to support undergraduate research projects.
Destination Science will return Summer 2020.
For information on NSU’s School of Biological and Physical Sciences, visit sciences.nsula.edu.
