Local seventh and eighth graders will have an opportunity to examine evidence like a crime scene investigator, hunt for fossils like an archeologist, learn about objects thousands of times smaller than the diameter of a human hair and more when they participate in the free Summer Science Day Camp at West Virginia University.

The five-day camp, sponsored by WVNano, is set for June 21 through June 25 on the downtown campus. Each day’s activities run from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and will focus on topics that include: robotics and energy, geology and archeology, chemistry, nanotechnology and forensics.

“The purpose of the camp is to get kids interested in science at an early age, especially at the middle school level when so many students are just beginning to find their true interests,” said Sergei Urazdhin who created the Science Day Camp as part of WVNano’s overall effort to push science to K-12 students in the region.

Students are accepted to the camp on a competitive basis. To apply, students should complete a brief application form and send a recommendation letter from a science teacher, along with a one-page essay describing why they want to participate. All application materials must be submitted no later than May 21. The only cost to participate is transportation to and from camp.

For more information, contact camp coordinator Jen Robertson at jrober12@mix.wvu.edu or 304-293-3060 ext. 6435; or Urazdhin at sergei.urazhdin@mail.wvu.edu or 304- 293-3422 ext. 1472.

The Summer Science Day Camp is sponsored by WVNano, West Virginia University’s focal point for discovery and innovation in nanoscale science, engineering and education that is supported through the National Science Foundation, WVU and the State of West Virginia. WVNano’s central objective is to advance the research environment and diversify West Virginia’s economic base through cultivation and growth of vigorous research in targeted areas of nanoscale science and engineering.

-WVU-

03/11/10