Marine Science Summer Camp for Middle School Students
Marine Science students will "dive" headfirst into one of the world’s least-explored places – the ocean! In this camp, we will take a multi-disciplinary approach to learning and incorporate studies in chemistry, oceanography, ecology, and marine biology to learn about Earth's amazing seas and the animals and plants that inhabit them.
Who is this camp for? Middle school students who love hands-on science and are interested in Oceanography and Marine Biology, but do not have much experience in the field.
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Campers will begin their week by investigating water and discovering how its unique properties shape our oceans, its currents, and its biomes both under the sea and at the beach. We'll then shift into marine life and explore food webs and marine adaptations, paying special attention to survival strategies such as mimicry, camouflage, and bioluminescence. Later on in the week, we will take a closer look at the anatomy and physiology of ocean predators - campers will have the opportunity to dissect fish, squid, and sharks to compare their body structures and functions to their niches within the food chain.
We will round out our week by looking at humankind's impact on the ocean as a whole. Campers will engineer an environmental disaster in the form of an oil spill and then brainstorm methods to clean up both the water and a population of affected shorebirds. We will also study water pH, ocean acidification, and its effects on shell-based marine life.
Minors: In addition to the "Major" activities, students participate in “Minor” labs that allow them to explore another science discipline. These may include Engineering, Forensic Science, Astronomy, Cardiology, Environmental Science, Ocean/Marine Science, and other topics (offerings vary based on teacher expertise). On occasion, a "Minor" may even be upgraded to a second "Major"!
Enrichment Activities: In the afternoons and evenings give campers the opportunity for informal science learning, as well as leadership and problem-solving training through workshops, experiments, guest speakers, and recreational activities. Students will also attend a mid-program excursion to a local science venue.
Camps for rising 6th - 8th graders have three price options:
Day Camper: Day Campers check in Sunday with dinner provided after check-in and then enjoy curriculum Monday-Friday from 9am to 5pm. Meals are not provided with Day Camp Tuition - campers can bring a sack lunch or can purchase our optional Lunch package for $40 (includes lunch in the dining hall Monday-Friday).
Extended Day: Extended Day Campers check in Sunday with dinner provided after check-in and then enjoy curriculum and recreation Monday - Friday from 9am to 9pm, with lunch and dinner provided in the dining hall.
Overnight: Overnight campers check in before dinner on Sunday and check out at 5pm on Friday. All meals and shared dorm accommodations are provided.
"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.
Shannon Pylant, MS - Instructor
Shannon Pylant is a 6th-grade science teacher in Winston-Salem, NC. She has a Masters of Science in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center and a Bachelor of Science in Biology with Minors in Chemistry and Education from Belmont Abbey College. Prior to teaching, Shannon worked as a cancer research scientist and as an account representative for a global laboratory supply company. Since 2015, Shannon has supplemented her time in the classroom with developing and teaching science afternoon academies and summer camps for elementary aged scientists. Shannon has presented her classroom curriculum at national and regional conferences, including the National Science Teachers Association Conference, the North Carolina Science Teacher Association Conference, and the North Carolina Association for Independent Schools Conference.
Shannon is energized by her work with young adults and enjoys the ability to foster relationships with budding scientists across all grade levels through collaborative projects. She believes that scientists should be encouraged to constantly question, dig deeper into topics that are of interest to them, and make connections to other disciplines to further develop their explanations. Recently, she has enjoyed incorporating escape style activities into her laboratory activities where her scientists unlock learning while solving mysteries.
