May 2023
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Happy May!
The Penn State semester and school year is rapidly coming to a close, and our Office of Science Outreach is finalizing plans for this year's Science-U camps! Please note: we will not send out this newsletter over the summer months, but look for it to return in the Fall.
Keep reading below for some Science-U reminders and notes. We are also sharing information about a summer camp through the department of Architectural Engineering, and a reminder about the upcoming AAUW Used Book Sale this month. Finally, we are sharing dates for a few science outreach events scheduled for the Fall.
We are looking forward to meeting our Science-U families and campers soon, and we wish everyone a summer filled with scientific discovery and curisosity!
Reminders and Notes
Camp Details: Information about individual camps such as drop-off and pick-up locations and lunch plans will be emailed to parents/guardians about two weeks prior to the start of camp. Most of our daily drop-off and pick-up locations will be in the Huck Life Sciences building, but opening day check-ins and ceremonies will be held in other locations on campus. Please refer to our Science-U website or your registration confirmation email for the camp dates.
Cancellations: We understand that plans may have changed since registration opened in February. Please contact our office at sciencecamps@science.psu.edu if you need to cancel a camp for your child. Cancelling on your own through the registration link will not provide you with a refund.
Refunds: Cancellations that occur at least 14 days or more before the start date of a camp will be granted a full refund, less a $50 administrative fee. Refunds will be applied to the same credit card used for payment. Camp spots that are cancelled 13 days or less of a camp start date are not eligible for a refund as supplies have already been purchased for campers by that time.
Waitlist Procedure: Waitlists are ordered based upon the day and time of registration. If a camp spot becomes available, we will send a notice to the email address used in the online registration process and offer the open spot to the first camper on a waitlist. (Sometimes families have other plans and are no longer able to accept a spot, so we do not use an automated system.)
If a parent does not reply to the offer email within five (5) business days, we will sequentially email parents of the next campers on the waitlist until the spot is filled. It's important that families check their email regularly for waitlist and other Science-U-related information.
Questions: Please contact our office at sciencecamps@science.psu.edu with any questions, concerns, or updates to your camper's registration. The office phone number is 814-865-0083. Our staff is often out of the office as we prepare for camps, and this number is forwarded to a staff member's cell phone. If you get a recording, please leave a message and someone will call you back.
Camp Openings: Most of our camps have been filled since February, but these two high school camps still have a few openings.
Ecology Expeditions
There are a few day spots open for this camp designed for students entering grades 9-12. The camp will be held the week of June 25-30 and will focus on ways scientists are working to protect the environment. Our camp director, Tim Gleason, will take campers through local forests and streams to learn how scientists are tackling environmental issues. More information is available on our website. Use the link below to register!
Brain Freeze!
A few spots are still open for the STEM camp for high school students on the autism spectrum. In conjunction with the National Autism Conference, this free program is scheduled for July 31-August 3. Most of the program will be held at the Penn Stater Hotel and Conference Center, but one of the days will feature a field trip to the University Park campus. Click on the link below for more information and to register.
The Penn State Department of Architectural Engineering will be holding Camp CANDLE this summer for students entering grades 9-12. This overnight camp is scheduled for July 4-7, 2023. Students will learn how architectural lighting design can enhance the built environment, improve our well-being, and contribute to a sustainable future. Click on the image to download a camp flier or click the button below for more information.
AAUW Used Book Sale in May
Mark your calendars for the weekend of May 13-16! That's when the AAUW Used Book Sale will be held at Penn State's Snider Ag Arena! Funds raised from this historic event help to support STEM opportunities for girls and young women in Centre County - Science-U and ENVISION to name a few! Visit the AAUW website for more information or click on the image to download and share the flyer.
Save These Dates!
Ask A Scientist - August 25
If you attend the Centre County Grange Fair in August, stop by the Recreational Building to meet with Penn State scientists and researchers. The event will be held mid-day and will have demonstrations and hands-on activities for kids and families!
Haunted-U - September 30
Join us in the evening at University Park to experience some "spooky" science fun! This family-fun event will occur during Penn State's Parents and Families Weekend and will showcase science experiments and activities with a Halloween-theme!
Our Office of Science Outreach staff members are happy to assist you with any questions related to Science Outreach. Bookmark our website at https://science.psu.edu/outreach for more information or email us at outreach@science.psu.edu.
We'd love to hear from you!
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