USC Summer Science Programs
Middle school girls, high school girls, snorkeling, kayaking, labs, field trips, fun and science...those are just some of the key words to describe the University of Southern California Sea Grant's educational programs for "young women-in-science." In conjunction with the USC Wrigley Institute of Environmental Studies and the USC Office of the Provost (major funder of the program), Sea Grant piloted the first Summer Science Program for Middle School Girls in July, 1999. Fifteen girls ages 12-15, participated in the pilot session, held at the USC Wrigley Marine Science Center on Catalina Island. We were fortunate to have a talented, ethnically diverse group of girls interested in science and the ocean and enthusiastic about the program. That very successful start has led to established and expanded programs in each of the following summers.
Middle school is a key time to engage students in science, especially girls. In these programs the theme of "fun and learning in science" is housed in a larger context of "Women in Science." A very full schedule includes field data collection, snorkeling (at night too!), kayaking, hyberbaric chamber tour, marine science arts and crafts, and lots of hands-on lab and field activities, which allow the girls to pursue a wide range of topics. Female research scientists, graduate students, and teachers, as well as Sea Grant staff interact with the girls, who are given the opportunity to see women in a variety of marine related careers in marine policy, research science, education, and diving safety. Catalina Island is a perfect teaching 'lab' for introducing many science topics. After each camp, the middle school girls left asking if there would be one for high school students next year!
So we listened to that call, and in the summer of 2001 hosted the first Summer Science Program for High School Girls. In addition to the activities described above these young women had the unique opportunity to participate in the pilot, "Global Heartbeat Project" which uses an ecotoxicological research method recently developed by Dr. Mike Depledge at the University of Plymouth, England, to monitor a crab's heartbeat in response to environmental stimuli. Similar to a doctor monitoring a human pulse, an infrared device is harmlessly attached to the shell of a crab, and the signal transmitted to a computer which records the changes in the crab's heartbeat in response to a stimulus. This is a new approach to the study of marine biology, coastal ecology and environmental science. Monitoring crabs' heartbeats helps demonstrate the interrelationship between ocean health and the health of living organisms. Dr. Shaw Bamber, a colleague of Dr. Depledge, joined us from England to not only demonstrate this method but to guide the participants in using this technique to answer their own research questions via experiments of their own design. The girls loved it; they were fully engaged in the process and excited about the results. Thanks to funding from the USC Sea Grant program, our partners in the College of Exploration, "Global Heartbeat" scientists, and the young high school women from the 2001 Summer Science program, this project is now taking the first steps towards the classroom and allowing other students to experience the fun and excitement of science first-hand. (Link HERE for more information on the Global Heartbeat Project.)
In 2004 we started our Young Men in Science Program for Middle School boys.
After our camps, participants often stay in touch via email and cards. Some have requested marine science information for school projects or science fairs and while others have written just to say hello. We are happy to hear from all of them!
Programs generally run from 8 to 9 days. For information on costs, registration and to see an online brochure, log on to Summer & Special Programs, click on "Science Camp for Middle School Girls", "Summer Program for Middle School Boys," or "Science Camp for High School Women" and follow the links to find registration information.
Read the article in the USC Chronicle