This year, Marshall University is partnering with National Youth Science Academy (https://www.nysacademy.org/) to bring middle school summer camps to campus with various themes. Camps will be instructed by Marshall faculty and scientists from the region and will include hands-on experiments and learning. Camps will include lunch and snacks throughout the 9AM-4PM day. Camps are targeted for students 5th-8th grade. Please scroll throughout this page to view camp details and to find the registration links.
Camp Cost: $150.00
Need based scholarships are available. Please contact Holly at damron40@marshall.edu for more information.
Builders / Robotics Camp. June 1-5.
Get ready for an exciting, hands-on Builders Camp designed for creative minds ages 10–14! This fun-filled week invites campers to explore the world of making as they build their own 3D model cars, craft musical music boxes, fold stunning origami creations, and design a variety of imaginative models. Whether they love engineering, art, or just creating cool things, campers will develop new skills, discover their talents, and bring their ideas to life in a supportive, high-energy environment. Join us for a week of curiosity, craftsmanship, and unforgettable summer fun!
Registration Link: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/robotics-camp-2
Physiology and Chemistry: Using Fruit Flies and Tardigrades to understand the world around us. June 15-19.
This exciting hands-on camp is all about discovering the fascinating ways animals and microbes acquire nutrition from their environment and how they co-habitate with each other. You’ll dive into the world of animal and microbe feeding through maintenance and monitoring of fruit fly and biofilm cultures. We will learn Drosophila (fruit fly) culture techniques in our legendary Fruit Fly Lab and will perform fun experiments and observations in the lab where you will study the tiny but mighty fruit fly. These little creatures are key to understanding behavior and physiology—and they’re fun to work with, too. You will also engage in the culture of wastewater derived biofilm and perform measurements that allow us to infer details about the food intake and metabolism of those biofilm communities. You’ll get hands-on experience observing and recording quantitative and qualitative data and observations. We will encourage artistically leaning ‘campers’ to exercise their skills by recording traits of flies and biofilms by putting pencil to paper.
In addition, we will discover chemistry and tardigrades in this weeklong adventure.
Registration Link: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/physiology-and-chemistry-camp
Water Explorer’s STEAM Day Camp July 6-10 (Tuesday – Thursday)
Do you find yourself drawn to streams, rivers, and creeks? Then join us at the Water Explorer’s Camp this summer! Each day we will explore water and introduce you to all things fascinating about Earth’s most precious resource, WATER. From close-up looks at aquatic bugs and fish you may have never seen before, to how water is woven into all aspects of our life, this camp has it covered. We’ll introduce you to mysterious wetlands and the plants and creatures who live there and use our imaginations in hands-on activities and models. The lead educator will be Tomi Bergstrom, WV Project WET coordinator at WVDEP with guest field trip leaders from state and federal agencies, as well as local municipalities.
Registration Link: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/water-explorers-steam-day-camp
Crime Science Summer Camp. July 13-17
Get ready for an exciting week of discovery, investigation, and hands-on learning at the Marshall University Crime Science Summer Camp, designed especially for 6th through 8th grade students. Sponsored by the Department of Criminal Justice, Criminology, and Forensic Sciences, this week-long summer camp introduces campers to the fascinating world behind solving crimes and understanding the justice system.
Throughout the week, campers will step into the roles of investigators, analysts, and problem-solvers as they explore real-world criminal justice topics in an age-appropriate, interactive setting. Participants will learn the basics of crime scene investigation, including how evidence is identified, documented, and collected. Through guided activities and simulations, campers will practice thinking critically and paying attention to detail—just like real forensic professionals. The camp also dives into the world of cybercrime where campers will learn how digital investigators track down criminals in the online world. In our Cyber Forensics experience, you’ll uncover hidden data, recover deleted files, analyze real digital evidence, and see how experts solve cases using cutting-edge technology. Ever wondered how hackers get caught? Or how investigators trace activity across phones, computers, and the internet? This is your chance to find out. You’ll think like a digital detective, work hands-on with forensic tools, and discover how cyber skills are used to fight crime, protect national security, and power some of the fastest-growing careers in the world.
In addition, campers will tackle popular crime myths by separating fact from fiction. Through discussions and interactive challenges, they’ll learn how television shows and movies often misrepresent criminal investigations and how real criminal justice professionals actually do their work. Other topics may include careers in criminal justice, legal ethics, a mock trial, and the role of science and critical thinking in the justice system.
This summer camp is perfect for curious minds who enjoy problem-solving, science, technology, and learning how the justice system interacts with society. By the end of the week, campers will leave with new skills, confidence, and a deeper appreciation for the various aspects of the field of criminal justice.
Registration Link: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/criminal-justice-forensics-camp
Numbers Explosion: Exploring Physics and Math July 20-24
Explore math in patterns, shapes, and games. Learn how addition and triangles are related, how to order exactly the right number of chicken nuggets, what shapes a bubble can take, how to guard an art gallery, how to pick the right door in a game show, how to beat your friends at the game NIM, and more. We will also explore physics! Activities will use creativity, problem-solving, teamwork, and showcase how math can appear even in surprising places!
Registration Link: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/numbers-explosion-exploring-math-and-physics