Summer camp: finding science in a cave, wetlands

photo courtesy of Juan Diego Catholic High School

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Students take a hike to the Timpanogos Cave as part of Juan Diego High School's Science Summer Camp. The camp's purpose is to encourage students to choose post-secondary education in science, math, engineering, and technology.

DRAPER — "My son is not a morning person nor does he like to do educational things during the summer (typical 12 year old boy!)," starts the comment of a parent whose son participated in Juan Diego Catholic High School’s Summer Science Camp. "However, the flyer made the science camp sound so enticing he had to do this. He was not disappointed."

The Summer Science Camp is part of an initiative implemented by the Academy of Sciences to increase the number of students who graduate from Juan Diego and choose post-secondary education in science, math, engineering, and technology.

"Though we do not have any antidotal evidence that an increased number of graduates are indeed choosing this path, we do believe our efforts thus far have successfully stimulated student interest, fostered continuity between middle and high school curriculum, and strengthened our partnership with higher education," said Molly Dumas, director of institutional advancement.

Besides the summer camp, activities conducted in the development of the Academy of Sciences at Juan Diego have included:

• A collaboration with the University of Utah Colleges of Engineering and Pharmacology, and explored the University of Southern Nevada school of pharmacy.

• In the fall of 2008, faculty and principals from Juan Diego, St. Francis, Blessed Sacrament and St. John the Baptist schools met over a series of weeks to identify opportunities for science and math curriculum development.

• The high school added robotics to its list of course offerings.

• Juan Diego has held Brain Awareness Day, featuring students and instructors from the Univerisity of Utah College of Neuroscience. Juan Diego intends to host this event every other year.

• In March, 2009, the University of Utah College of Engineering conducted a full day of explorative seminars in various aspects of engineering including mechanical, materials, chemical, electrical, computer, civil and bioengineering. In addition to an all-school assembly in the middle of the day, science and math classes attended breakout sessions that feature special presentations and hands-on demonstrations.

• The school has conducted field trips with the Pre-Med Club to the University Medical Center.

The summer camp was created having middle and high school students in mind and featured fun explorations such as geological formations in Timpanogos Cave, physics through the creation of catapults and robots, green energy, local wetlands, and motion dynamics.

The Academy of Sciences is made accessible at no charge to the student. Future plans include awarding a stipend to students who participate in the full internship. This in turn will stimulate the interest of younger students to be involved in the academy and its summer intern opportunities, as well as influence older students to reconsider their post-secondary education goals. A stipend will also provide incentive to students who are working to save funds for college by providing an alternative to employment outside their field. A part-time faculty member will be contracted to manage the academy, develop and deliver the enhanced curriculum, train and oversee student internships, conduct science fairs and demonstrations, and evaluate the program.

A total of 22 middle school-aged students were enrolled in the camp.