RIPLEY, W.Va. – Forget capture the flag and campfires … nearly 80 West Virginia students are dissecting a human cadaver hand, assembling rockets, constructing heat shields, engineering sports equipment, collecting and growing environmental samples and much more during the West Virginia Youth Science Camp (WVSYC).

In 2011, The National Youth Science Camp partnered with the West Virginia Department of Education (WVDE) for the inaugural year.  The camp demonstrated so much success, that the WVDE was able to fund and expand the camp from one week to two weeks, running from July 15 to July 28 at Cedar Lakes Conference Center in Ripley, W.Va.

Nearly 80 students – referred to as “delegates” – from 33 counties are participating in the camp. Taking into consideration their passion and academic proficiency for science and mathematics, these students were chosen to represent their counties.  Delegates will be high school sophomores this upcoming school year.

The WVYSC seeks to honor and encourage high achieving science-oriented students, while introducing them to scientific topics they may not have otherwise considered.  Guest lecturers in the different STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) fields are attending the camp and providing directed studies.

Delegates can choose to attend several different hands-on, small group directed studies. Topics such as sports engineering, medicine, rocketry, environmental biology and DNA forensics are being discussed and studied during the camp to generate and pique the interest of students. 

“The WVDE is so pleased to be able to make the West Virginia Youth Science Camp an enriching experience for students,” said state Superintendent of Schools Jorea Marple. “The extra week of learning presents the opportunity for students to explore scientific and technology subjects that are vital in the 21^st century.”

Ongoing research will bring students back together during follow-up weekends throughout the school year in which they will report their findings.

The camp seeks to prepare delegates for their college, career and life-long education and to develop the creativity and self-confidence to succeed in scientific careers.

“We remain committed to fostering a learning environment where students can grow and thrive in an advancing modern society,” Marple said.

For more information, contact the Office of Communications at 304-558-2699