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Explore Science

Summer Camp for rising 7th through 10th graders

female student takes notes with male student lab partner
Photo by Luke Hayes/Virginia Tech

June 24-27, 2024 (rising 9th-10th grade)
June 30-July 3, 2024 (rising 7th-8th grade)

This camp is designed to help curious, young teens explore different types of sciences, including ones not normally taught in middle school or high school. Relevant, fun, hands-on activities will be taught by our nationally recognized Virginia Tech professors and staff. 

Topics include:

  • Neuroscience—the adaptive brain!
  • DNA form and function
  • Battle of the bacteria—a game of survival
  • Paleontology—the evolution of ancient life forms
  • Serious fun with physics
  • Nanoscience and Bucky balls
  • Food microbiology
  • Crime scene investigation
  • Creative coding
  • Game theory and experimental economics
  • Behavioral genetics: How our genes and our environment interact with one another

Cost: $900 
Camp fees cover faculty instructional time, equipment, supplies, room and board, resident assistants and program assistants. If your child will need a scholarship to participate, please so indicate on the registration form. Families are responsible for transportation to/from the Virginia Tech campus. 

Registration is now closed: all camps are full.

tentative Schedule

Day 1

  • Check in and move into dorm 1:30-2:30 pm
  • Neuroscience and Our Amazing Brains
  • Chemistry and batteries
  • Dinner
  • Games/activities near residence hall or in quad
  • Team meeting
  • Lights out at 10pm

Day 2

  • Breakfast
  • World of food microbiology, part 1
  • Nanoscience and Bucky Balls
  • Lunch
  • Physics fun
  • Chemistry, temperature and light
  • Dinner
  • College & careers discussion with faculty and current VT students
  • Free time in residence hall or quad
  • Team meeting
  • Lights out at 10pm

Day 3

  • Breakfast
  • Coding for creativity
  • Food microbiology, part 2
  • Lunch
  • Craters and meteors!
  • Battle of the bacteria
  • Game theory and experimental economics
  • Dinner
  • Group activities, free time
  • Team meeting
  • Lights out at 10pm

Day 4

  • Breakfast
  • Hold old is the earth?
  • Ancient life forms-palentology
  • Team meeting
  • Parents check campers out of camps/dorms; 11:30am-12:30pm