KEARNEY – There’s plenty to discover this summer at the University of Nebraska at Kearney.
UNK is hosting several academic camps that give middle and high school students a chance to experience university life while learning about interesting topics in the science, math and law fields.
The Society and Science Camps, led by UNK faculty, allow students to explore areas such as crime scene investigation, cybersecurity, astronomy, health care and agriculture in a fun and educational environment that introduces them to new interests, ideas and careers.
UNK summer academic camps, which begin in June, are offered in residential and commuter options. Residential camps allow students to stay on campus in one of the residence halls, with additional social activities and evening events planned. Commuter camps are designed to allow students to go home at the end of each day.
Camp topics include:
- Mathematical Problem Solving with Technology
- Introduction to Crime Scene Investigation
- Crime Scene Investigation in Theory and Practice
- Pre-Law Camp
- CyberCamp
- AstroCamp
- College 101: Winning at College
- UNK Health Science Day Camp
- Soil and Plants in Agriculture
The summer camp series is sponsored by the UNK College of Natural and Social Sciences. To register, go to unk.edu/ScienceandSocietyCamps. For more information, contact Julie Campbell at 308.865.8566 or cambelljn@unk.edu.
UNK SUMMER CAMP SCHEDULE
Mathematical Problem Solving with Technology
Youths will learn to combine technology with math to solve real-world problems while working side by side with instructors. They’ll discover how mathematicians use computer software to model conic sections and predator-prey systems and solve problems like the four-color theorem.
Dates: June 4-8
Format: Residential or commuter
Grades: For youths entering grades 10, 11 and 12
Camp directors: Assistant professor Derek Boeckner and assistant professor Ted Rupnow (UNK Department of Mathematics and Statistics)
Tuition: $235 for residential campers and $195 for commuters if registered by April 30. Costs are $250 for residential campers and $200 for commuters after that date. Scholarships may become available.
Note: Math teachers attending camp with their students will be eligible for graduate credit with enrollment in MATH 871, pending final approval.
CyberCamp
CyberCamp will introduce students to computer architecture and embedded systems hardware, networking concepts, computer programming and engineering. Attendees will explore the field of cybersecurity and learn the basics of technology and how it works. The camp also includes movie and game nights for those staying at UNK.
Dates: June 6-9
Format: Residential or commuter
CyberCamp will introduce students to computer architecture and embedded systems hardware, networking concepts, computer programming and engineering. Attendees will explore the field of cybersecurity and learn the basics of technology and how it works. The camp also includes movie and game nights for those staying at UNK.
Grades: For youths entering grades seven through 12
Camp director: Assistant professor Matt Miller (UNK Department of Computer Science and Information Technology)
Tuition: $200 for residential campers and $150 for commuters. Registration deadline is April 15. Scholarships are available.
Pre-Law Camp
This camp introduces youths to the study and practice of law. Attendees will hear guest speakers from law schools and the legal profession discuss their experiences and offer advice. They will also learn about some of the opportunities and benefits available to pre-law students at UNK, including undergraduate research, internship, mentorship and networking opportunities, as well as the Kearney Law Opportunities Program (KLOP). Students will participate in a simulated classroom session focused on a current legal issue.
Date: June 8
Format: Commuter
Grades: For youths entering grades 10, 11 and 12
Camp director: Associate professor Chuck Rowling (UNK Department of Political Science)
Tuition: $75 if registered by April 30 or $85 after that date. Registration fee includes lunch, snacks and all course materials.
College 101: Winning at College
This camp provides practical help on how to succeed in college. Attendees will learn specific tips, strategies and principles to help them recognize success doesn’t just happen, and what they did in high school may not work in college. The camp will cover note-taking, college writing basics, scheduling, study tips, how to build relationships with professors, getting involved on campus and balancing school work and college life.
Dates: June 11-12
Format: Residential
Grades: For youths entering grades 11 and 12, as well as 2018 high school graduates
Camp director: Assistant professor Ben Malczyk (UNK Social Work Department)
Tuition: $145 if registered by April 30 or $150 after that date
Soil and Plants in Agriculture
Campers will explore how plants interact with their environment, learn the basics of soil science and use experiments to measure plant responses to challenges. They’ll work like a scientist to analyze plant responses to stimuli, compare soil profiles in the field and investigate genetically modified crops before sharing what they learned during a camp showcase.
Dates: June 11-15
Format: Commuter
Grades: For youths entering grades seven through nine
Camp directors: Professors Paul Twigg and Julie Shaffer (UNK Department of Biology)
Tuition: $125. Registration deadline is April 15
Introduction to Crime Scene Investigation
Campers will learn the basic principles of criminal investigation and be introduced to forensic evidence collection and analysis techniques. Examples include fingerprints, impression evidence, microscopic evidence and alternative light sources. Professional investigators from the Kearney Police Department will lead youths through a simulated crime scene on the UNK campus, allowing them to gather clues, analyze evidence and use reason to solve the mystery.
Date: June 12
Format: Commuter
Grades: For youths entering grades seven, eight and nine
Camp directors: Officer Rob Taillon and Sgt. Kyle Harshbarger (Kearney Police Department and UNK Department of Criminal Justice)
Tuition: $45 if registered by April 30 or $50 after that date
Crime Scene Investigation in Theory and Practice
Attendees will learn the basic crime scene investigation techniques of fingerprint, impression, blood spatter, microscopic and light analysis, as well as the scientific principles behind them. In the second half of the camp, professional investigators from the Kearney Police Department will lead students through a simulated crime scene, where they’ll use the tools of physics, biology and chemistry to reconstruct events based only on the physical evidence left behind.
Date: June 13
Format: Commuter
Grades: For youths entering grades 10, 11 and 12
Camp directors: Sgt. Kyle Harshbarger and Officer Rob Taillon (Kearney Police Department and UNK Department of Criminal Justice)
Tuition: $45 if registered by April 30 or $50 after that date
AstroCamp
Through hands-on activities, planetarium shows and technology training, campers will explore various aspects of astronomy: assembling their own telescope, spending days and evenings observing the sun, moon and Jupiter with UNK telescopes, learning about energy sources, getting trained in running the UNK Planetarium, developing and presenting their own planetarium show, creating a tri-color Hubble image, learning how to plan a star-gazing party and more. Fun social activities include rock climbing on Mars, making liquid nitrogen ice cream, solar car and solar bag races and an overnight star-gazing camping trip at Fort Kearny. At the end of the camp, students will share what they learned during a family night of planetarium shows and poster presentations.
Dates: June 13-16
Format: Residential
Grades: For youths entering grades seven through 10
Camp director: Assistant professor Mariana Lazarova (UNK Department of Physics and Astronomy)
Tuition: $360 if registered by April 30 or $365 after that date
Health Science Day Camp
This camp provides an exciting day of learning about health sciences and careers in health care. Attendees will spend time in a lab setting, dissect a cow heart to learn about circulation, tour the Health Sciences Education Complex at UNK and participate in simulations and case studies. They will also hear from health care professionals in a variety of fields and learn about health sciences at UNK.
Date: June 15
Format: Commuter
Grades: For youths entering grades 11 and 12
Camp director: Health sciences advisor Shauna Reinsch (UNK health science program)
Tuition: $85 if registered by April 30 or $90 after that date
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Writer: Tyler Ellyson, writing specialist, UNK News, 308.865.8529, ellysontd@unk.edu
Source: Julie Campbell, UNK criminal justice chair, 308.865.8566, campbelljn@unk.ed
