Summer Scholars: A Middle School Summer Adventure in Earth/Environmental Science

Registration
Policies and Procedures
Orientation Video
Orientation PowerPoint

Dates: Monday through Friday, July 15-19, 2024, 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., UNC Charlotte

Registration: Please click here.

Registration Deadline: Friday, June 28, 2024

Application Fee: $250.00 (Refund Policy: All refund requests must be submitted via email to stem-precollege@uncc.edu and received 30 days prior to the start date of the program. No refunds will be granted within 30 days of the event. Refund request will take 2-3 weeks to process. There are no refunds for no-shows. A non-refundable, non-transferable deposit of $100.00 will be retained for each enrollment payment. No exceptions.)

Policies and Procedures: Please click here to view. You will be asked during your registration to confirm agreement with these policies.

Description:

Embark on an immersive journey into Earth and Environmental Science aligned with the Middle School North Carolina Core Standards for the initial six weeks of the course! Our week-long summer program offers a captivating blend of classroom instruction, hands-on experiments, and interactive activities to deepen your understanding of the natural world and environmental phenomena.

Schedule:

Day 1: Introduction to Earth Systems and Earth’s Atmosphere (Weather & Climate)

  • Morning Session (9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.): Explore the components of Earth’s systems, including the geosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere, and biosphere, through engaging lectures and visual aids. Learn about weather phenomena, climate patterns, and factors influencing climate change through interactive discussions and multimedia presentations.
  • Lab Session (10:45 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.): Get hands-on experience with microscopy techniques, observing various types of cells and their organelles under the microscope.  Engage in weather observation activities, climate data analysis, and atmospheric experiments to understand weather and climate processes.

Day 2: Rocks and Minerals

  • Morning Session (9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.): Discover the formation, composition, and properties of rocks and minerals, including the rock cycle and mineral identification techniques.
  • Lab Session (10:45 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.): Conduct mineral and rock identification experiments, examine geological specimens, and explore rock formation processes through hands-on activities.

Day 3: Ecosystems and Biodiversity

  • Morning Session (9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.): Explore the structure and function of ecosystems, including food webs, energy flow, and the importance of biodiversity for ecosystem stability.
  • Lab Session (10:45 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.): Participate in ecosystem exploration activities, biodiversity surveys, and habitat assessments to understand the interconnectedness of living organisms and their environment.

Day 4: Human Impact on the Environment

  • Morning Session (9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.): Investigate the various ways in which human activities impact the environment, including pollution, deforestation, habitat destruction, and climate change.
  • Lab Session (10:45 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.): Analyze environmental data, conduct pollution monitoring experiments, and explore sustainable practices to mitigate human impacts on the environment.

Day 5: Culminating Projects and Presentations

  • Morning Session (9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.): Work on culminating projects integrating concepts learned throughout the week.
  • Presentation Session (10:45 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.): Showcase your projects to peers and instructors, reflecting on your learning journey and discoveries.

Join us for a week of scientific discovery, exploration, and environmental stewardship as we unravel the mysteries of Earth and Environmental Science together!

If you have questions or need assistance please contact:

Mrs. Brittany McCann at: stem-precollege@charlotte.edu or call (704) 687-8726.

Registration: Please click here.