Science camp students play in the big leagues
Thanks to a collaboration between UGent and non-profit JCW, young people will conduct their typical kitchen science experiments in a unique, academic environment this summer
A scientifically sound holiday
The Clever Forever science camp is being organised by UGent and the non-profit JCW, short for Jeugd, Cultuur en Wetenschap (Youth, Culture and Science). JCW wants to inspire the youngsters by giving them a first-hand taste of different scientific disciplines.
The topics on the programme range from typical kitchen science experiments to practical applications to uncover the secrets of biopolymers, a particular type of biomolecule.
“The pupils themselves chose to participate in this camp – not their parents,” says Bart Bynens from JCW. “In general, these youngsters are just eager to learn new things. We give them the chance to do this in a unique environment – the laboratories of the university, as most of them are deserted during the summer months. The science camp programme also emphasises experimenting, rather than the traditional method of teaching.”
Bynens says that one of the themes of the camp is problem-solving. “For example, in one workshop the students will have to develop a dwelling meant for developing countries that suffer from natural disasters, like earthquakes and floods.”
But the aim of the camp is also to stimulate the imagination. “With experiments from physics and chemistry, we will explore some persistent misconceptions,” explains Bynens.
But it won’t be all work and no play during the science camp week. Every day will close with a leisure activity. “That could be a quiz, a team-building activity or some other group game,” says Bynens. “Everything except science, as we don’t want to saddle our participants with an overload of information.”
photo by David De Wolf / UGent
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