In Gene to Genome, students will learn the fundamentals of genetics, centering on the transfer of information through the Central Dogma of Biology (DNA→ RNA→ Protein). Specifically, students will focus on heritable diseases and the mechanisms by which they are inherited. The course begins at the molecular level and zooms out to organismal inheritance and genomic studies.
The course will culminate with a presentation at our very own EU Genetics Conference! Students will take on the role of researchers presenting on a heritable disease to their peers and families, who will take on the role of colleagues in the field.
Our courses are interactive, use videos and images and, most importantly, include hands-on activities such as building model systems using candy and household items, extracting strawberry DNA and observing it under microscopes the students build, and engaging in lab activities and demos in order to explore both the molecular and organismal aspects of inheritance.
Campers will explore careers in genetics on Thursday and see what the praxis of our studies looks like in the professional world. The culminating project will be a presentation to peers and parents on the heritable disease that students have researched as we explore each aspect of our curriculum.
Upcoming Sessions For Genetics 6-8
Don’t see a class you want in your time zone? Check other time zones to flexibly fit your needs!
* Please note that there will be no class on July 4th. For the July 4th week, class times on Tuesday through Friday will be adjusted to compensate for missed time on Monday. Students will have the same number of instructional hours as in all other weeks.
Don’t see a class you want in your time zone? Check other time zones to flexibly fit your needs!
Includes a 1-hour lunch break plus shorter 10-15 min breaks
Monday (July 4)
No class
Week of July 17
Pacific Time
Eastern Time
Monday - Thursday
9:00 am to 3:00 pm
12:00 pm to 6:00 pm
Includes a 1-hour lunch break plus shorter 10-15 min breaks
Friday
9:00 am to 12:00 pm
12:00 pm to 3:00 pm
Includes 10 min breaks as needed
*Schedule subject to change - Final schedule posted in Google Classroom the Wednesday prior to the start of class.
On Campus Schedule Science Camps
7:30 am
Overnight campers - wake up!
8:00 am
Breakfast in the dining hall (overnight campers)
9-9:15 am
Extended day camper check-in
9:00 am
Camp meeting & warm-up
9:15 am
"Major" lab session Options may vary by camp session & include: engineering, marine science, astronomy, & robotics
12:00 pm
Lunch in the dining hall (included for overnight & extended day campers; day campers can purchase an optional lunch package or bring a lunch)
1:15 pm
Recreation
2:00 pm
Science "minors" plus workshops Afternoon workshops give girls an opportunity for informal science learning, as well as leadership and problem-solving training. Past minors have included forensic science and chemistry.
5:00 pm
Day camper check-out
5:30 pm
Dinner in the dining hall (overnight & extended campers)
6:30 pm
Team leadership & project planning class
7:45 pm
Evening recreation & activities
8-9:00 pm
Extended day camper check-out
9:30 pm
Floor check (overnight campers get ready for bed)
10:00 pm
Room check & lights out
Education Unlimited believes in small-group, immersive learning with subject matter experts and experienced teachers. We strive to provide industry-leading instruction to all of our students and hold all staff to the highest possible standards. Staff assignments vary by program and location. Some of our recent staff members for this program include:
Rhonda McCoy, PhD - Camp Director
Dr. Rhonda McCoy is a Manager of Quality Control for a leading global biopharmaceutical company. Through analysis of quality from creation to post-expiration date, Dr. McCoy oversees a team that ensures medications sold around the world are both safe and effective. Dr. McCoy holds a PhD in Chemistry from Howard University in Washington DC. A member of the Education Unlimited team since 2005, Dr. McCoy has been passionate about the empowerment of middle and high school age girls throughout her career, evident in her work as Director of our Science and Engineering Camps for Girls. She has volunteered her time as the scholarship program chair for Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and taught chemistry and physics in the Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools of Charlotte, North Carolina.
In addition to her doctorate degree, Dr. McCoy has a Bachelor of Science degree from North Carolina A&T State University. Prior to her five years as a research assistant at Howard while pursuing her doctorate, she spent time as an analytical chemist with the global cosmetics brand, L’Oreal. In her free time, Rhonda enjoys travel, shopping, and time with her family.
Jacob Burdette - Instructor
Jacob Burdette serves as the Director of Curriculum and Instruction for Denver School of Science and Technology’s Green Valley Ranch High School. He specializes in curriculum development and has developed and taught curricula for English, Anatomy & Physiology, Natural Science, Environmental Science, and General Biology. Jacob taught Biology, AP Biology, and Anatomy and Physiology for 5 years. He holds dual Bachelor degrees in Sociology and Women’s & Gender Studies with a minor in Latin from Berea College and is currently in the Instructional Leadership program at Relay Graduate School of Education.
During his time at Berea College, Jacob served two years as Editor-in-Chief of the Apollon Undergraduate Humanities Journal and two years as a writing center manager. With ten years of collective education experience, Jacob is ecstatic to assist young scientists in finding and refining their voices and curiosity. Jacob joined Education Unlimited in 2016.
