During the one-week residential summer Catawba Conservation Camp and several year-round Saturday sessions, sixty middle-school girls experience hands-on learning through a variety of activities designed to engage their interest and build their competence in science and mathematics. Activities focus on the scientific study of basic environmental problems and potential solutions through fieldwork, lab experiments, research, and computer-based mathematical modeling. Interaction with working scientists encourages the girls to consider a science-based vocation. A combination of learning by doing, and meeting positive role models, nutures the girls’ enthusiasm for science and mathematics, and encourages them to pursue a career in science- and mathematics-related fields.  Goals of the project include teaching students about conservation of the natural environment; critical thinking and leadership skills they will carry into adulthood, and introducing a large, diverse group of girls to mathematical and scientific inquiry in preparation for further education and eventual careers in science-related fields.  Special efforts are made to recruit interested students into the program, particularly reaching out to girls from backgrounds that are underrepresented in scientific fields, such as low-income families, African-American, Latina, and others. The girls have the opportunity to apply as assistants for the following year’s camp to further hone their scientific skills.

One week residential summer camp with follow-up Saturday sessions

Rising sixth and seventh graders in Rowan and contiguous counties

Cyndi Osterhus, Ph.D. 
Professor 
Catawba College
Teacher Education
2300 West Innes Street
Salisbury, NC 28144

Phone: 704/637-4761

www.catawba.edu/c3

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