Lander University is accepting applications for the annual Fuji Summer Science and Mathematics Enrichment program for students in grades four through high school hosted by the university. The program, which begins in June, is sponsored by a grant from Fuji Photo Film in Greenwood and offers talented students a challenging educational experience with opportunities for fun and a taste of university life at Lander.
They are all day camps taught by members of Lander's faculty and classes will be conducted in Lander classrooms and laboratories.
The first camp, June 4-7, will be led by Dr. TD Maze, associate professor of biology, who will introduce rising 7th- through 12th-grade students to the fascinating world of forensic science. Students will learn how law enforcement uses DNA technology and other techniques to solve crimes. The program will include a crime scene investigation and presentation of evidence obtained during the week to defend or prosecute a suspect in a mock trial.
Dr. Gilliean Lee, associate professor of computing, will teach students the fine points of 3D animation and computer programming. Participants will learn to write an animation scenario, create 3D graphics and write computer programs for animation and interactive games. The program will also include instruction in basic computer programming concepts. The camp, June 18-21, is for rising 6th- through 12th-graders.
Farha Ali, instructor of computing at Lander, will guide students through computer science fundamentals complete with hands-on activities and competitions. The one-day camp for rising 6th- through 8th-grade students will be held on Thursday, June 21.
The Unseen World of Microbes will be explored in the session scheduled for June 25-28. Assistant professor of biology Dr. Mark Pilgrim will guide students on tours through the unseen world of microorganisms. Students will also learn the importance of microbes to the environment, human health and disease, and the production of certain foods. They will collect specimens for cultivation and observation and have opportunities to share photos of their camp experiences and make yogurt. The camp is for rising 6th- through 9th-grade students.
Assistant professor of biology Dr. Kerry Hansknecht will guide students through a number of methods for studying nature. They will assess environmental quality and make direct and indirect observations of wildlife. As part of the camp, participants will build sampling equipment that will be theirs to keep. The program, July 9-12, is open to rising 7th- through 10th-grade students.
Dr. Lisa Brodhacker, assistant professor of chemistry at Lander, will lead a weeklong session concentrating on the four elements of ancient chemistry: fire, air, water and earth. Her camp July 16-19 is titled, "Science to Outsmart the Evil Mr. Fred," and it will be filled with hands-on experiments to teach chemistry in a fun way. Rising students in 4th- through 6th-grade will have to register to learn more about the evil Mr. Fred.
Dr. David Slimmer, dean of Lander's College of Science and Mathematics and professor of physics, will take curious participants on a tour of some everyday phenomena using hands-on demonstrations as the primary method of exploration. Topics will include several different areas of physics as well as some in chemistry and biology. The camp for rising 6th- through 9th-grade students will be held July 23-26.
Camps will run Mondays through Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. The fee for students in the one-day computer camp is $10; the fee for all other camps is $50. Fees cover the cost of all supplies, snacks and lunch in Lander's Dining Hall.
Applications can be downloaded from the Lander website at www.lander.edu/goto/camps. Applications, accompanied by the fee and a letter of recommendation, must be received in Lander's College of Science and Mathematics by May 11.