Inspired by Science Camp ’21 gave young scientists a chance to participate in hands-on activities and challenges July 12-15.  Through online videos, Camp Director Deena Antiporda led students (ages 7-12) through activities completed using materials provided in an included camp kit.  They also uploaded photos and comments about their work, giving them the chance to express their scientific observations to others.

“Reviewing their input was rewarding,” said Antiporda.  “You could tell that not only did they have fun, but they were also learning the basic scientific concepts related to each activity.”

The STEM Challenges pushed their learning.  One young scientist said “I give this project a thumbs up!  It was a tedious task that my Mom says requires patience.  She was not wrong!  I did it twice.”

A bonus activity was watching a special video tour of the Desert Willow Wildlife Rehabilitation Center, a local nonprofit that treats sick or injured wildlife for eventual return to their natural habitat.  The “Virtual Field Trip”, which was led by the organization’s founder, Dr. Sammie Uhrig, explained the center’s mission and showed numerous animals.

Thanks to sponsorship by Devon Energy, Nuclear Waste Partnership, and other donors to Inspired by Science at the Camp Sponsor Level, the cost of registration was kept extremely low to allow students from all economic backgrounds to sign up. More than 220 young scientists registered for this year’s camp.  Due to the virtual format, the STEM camp included students not only from outside the Carlsbad, NM area, but also outside the State of New Mexico.  Participants from Texas, Georgia and Washington also took part.

Inspired by Science has held the camp each summer since 2014.  Originally offered in-person, the camps have been held virtually since last year, due to the coronavirus pandemic. 

“We hope to offer both in-person and virtual options in the future,” said Antiporda.  “Any way we can encourage youth to love science is something we will pursue.”

More information is available at www.inspiredbyscience.org.