The unit of Academic Outreach in Georgia College & State University’s School of Continuing &Professional Studies concluded its summer programs, on July 25.
Director of Academic Outreach Ruth Eilers remarked summer as a success. Academic Outreach hosted two summer camps, participated in the Juneteenth celebration and partnered with the Mary Vinson Library to host an event.
“We had a packed summer full of camps and activities,” said Eilers. “I am extremely happy this year. We partnered passion with our activities so both we, our campers, and attendees at the various events were able to share challenges and knowledge. This summer had a beneficial impact on everyone.”
Kicking off summer, Academic Outreach hosted two weeks of Science Camp: Mysteries, in collaboration with the Science Education Center, June 5-9 and June 12-16.
With 22 kids participating in total (11 each week), Eilers stated that participation is steadily growing since their return from COVID-19. Each year, students vote at the end of Science Camp for next year’s theme and therefore, this year was about the mysteries of science.
According to Eilers, camp was more open this year and, rather than having a predetermined schedule, she worked with camp staff to have open-ended times where the kids could assist in choosing the activities.
“We took the term mysteries to mean a variety of things. So, camp counselors and I found activities that were mysteries of science in general. For example, it could be how magnetism works or how electricity works,” said Eilers. “New this year, we met with the kids and took feedback of what they were interested in and how they were feeling to create activities during the week that weren’t explicitly planned ahead of time. It catered more to our campers and really allowed their passions to guide camp.”
Partnering with the unit of Continuing and Professional Education and Kids’ University, Academic Outreach hosted Creature Camp: All Creatures Newborn and Nesting, June 26-30.
According to Eilers, the camp had maximum capacity with little overlap from science camp attendees.
During this camp, campers explored the “mystery of life” and discussed the life cycle of various animals. Campers took field trips to Comfort Farms and local water sources to interact with animals. In addition, Eilers brought chicken eggs that campers were able to watch the hatching process of and interact with chicks within their first days of hatching.
According to Eilers, the kids were able to better understand the life cycle by being involved in it and learning in real-time how life develops, grows, and changes.
“Campers were able to incubate the eggs and watch them, candle them, and watch them hatch. I believe their biggest takeaway was being able to watch the entire life process of the chicks and then get to interact with ducklings, who were a little older than our chicks, and compare how different the two birds are,” said Eilers.
“Throughout camp, they were able to see a variety of baby animals and see them in a variety of life stages.”
On June 19, Academic Outreach participated in the Milledgeville Juneteenth Celebration and showcased three women of color in the sciences. The women showcased were Dr. Tiara Moore, Alexis Nelson, and Victoria Cummings.
Moore studies biodiversity and is the founder of A WOC (Women of Color) Space, LLC. Nelson studies environmental science and is a social media influencer who shares her knowledge of foraging and cooking with wild plants. Cummings is a marine biologist, and master diver and helped to discover a new Amphipod species in 2021, known as snapping amphipods.
At Academic Outreach’s table, attendees were provided with activities related to each woman's field of study and were able to learn more about who each of these women are and their history.
“People were genuinely excited to approach our table and learn about each of these women,” said Eilers. “I am very happy we were able to promote these women in science and introduce their studies to a variety of people.”
Concluding the summer, Academic Outreach partnered with the Mary Vinson Library’s summer reading program. The theme for this summer was fossils so, during her visit, Eilers read two stories related to dinosaurs and brought in plant and mammal fossils for kids to look at.
Private fossil collector Terry Stair also brought in triceratops' bones and fossils. At the end of the day, Academic Outreach provided casts of fossils that students could take home.
“We worked with the library over the previous summer to plan this event and what we could possibly contribute to the theme,” said Eilers. “I always enjoy working with the summer reading program and I hope we are able to return next year.”
According to Eilers, the summer was a huge success based on positive camp evaluations and the numerous opportunities that Academic Outreach had to partner with other organizations.
Eilers stated in addition to these partnerships, Academic Outreach also partnered with the GCSU Bridge Scholars program to teach a GCSU 1010 course.
“Overall I am very proud of what we accomplished this summer and I am excited for next summer,” said Eilers. “We already have our themes for next year’s summer camps and we plan to participate in the Juneteenth celebration again.”
Planning for next summer, Eilers hopes to continue offering more choice in activities during camps, plans to look for opportunities for older students and students who have aged out of camp, and is looking forward to seeking more partnership opportunities.