CHEM CAMP (AGES 9 - 12)
FAQ | REGISTRATION | FACULTY
Have you ever wanted to speed up chemical reactions using catalysts? Do you want to isolate DNA? Do you want to learn about the chemistry of cooking?
Explore chemistry as you make molecules, model chemical reactions and measure the changes you can’t see with your eyes.
For youth ages 9–12 at the time of the camp. Mature 12-year old youth that have completed a full year of junior high can submit an application to biochem camp.
2021 CHEM CAMP DATES
CHEM CAMP COST
Ages 9–10 $135; Ages 11–12 $145
Generous donors have made tuition scholarships available. If you currently cannot afford the registration fee, please apply and indicate that you need a tuition scholarship.
WHAT TO EXPECT
- Participate in chemistry experiments with close mentoring from BYU students and professors.
- Explore chemistry as the central science, and its relationship to physics, biology, and medicine.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
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Toggle ItemWho may participate in a Chem Camp?For ages 9–12 at the time of the camp. Mature 12 year olds that have completed a full year of junior high may apply for both chem camp and biochem camp.
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Toggle ItemHow are applicants selected?BYU Chem Camps are committed to ensuring that high quality science experiences are available to all members of our community. Equal numbers of girls and boys participate in each camp.
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Toggle ItemWhen will the Chem Camps take place?There will be four sessions.
- SESSION 1 (ages 9–10): June 22-23, 9:00a.m.-2:30p.m.
- SESSION 2 (ages 9–10): June 24-25, 9:00a.m.-2:30p.m.
- SESSION 3 (ages 11–12): June 29-30, 9:00a.m.-3:30p.m.
- SESSION 4 (ages 11–12): July 1-2, 9:00am-3:30pm
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Toggle ItemWhat if I have children of slightly different ages? Can they attend together?Due to the nature of the experiments conducted, we cannot allow youth to attend sessions that are not for their age.
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Toggle ItemWhat do the Chem Camps cost?Chem Camp (ages 9–10) Registration fee is $135.
Chem Camp (ages 11-12) Registration fee is $145.
The cost includes experiments, activities, and supplies (goggles, lab coat, lunch each day (full-day camps), etc.), and personal instruction from BYU counselors. Families in financial need (eligible for free or reduced-cost lunches) can apply for a tuition scholarship to cover registration. Scholarships are made available by very generous private donors and the Central Utah Section of the American Chemical Society. The cost of the camps is heavily subsidized by private donors and the BYU College of Physical and Mathematical Sciences. -
Toggle ItemWhat if my child wants to attend a session with a friend/sibling/cousin?If two campers both want to attend a specific session of BYU Chem Camp together, please make a note of it on the application form. We will do our best to accommodate these requests.
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Toggle ItemWhat activities will campers be doing?Chem Camp (ages 9–12)
Campers will participate in hands-on lab activities each day. For example, during the 9-10 camps experiments include synthesizing polymers for bouncy balls, quantifying how much vitamin C is in a tablet, making cheese, and testing how much baking soda will make the best pancakes. During the 11-12 camps, experiments include ester synthesis, titrations, electrolysis, chromatography, macromolecule testing, and caffeine isolation. During all of these experiments appropriate safety measures will be followed, and a dedicated BYU student counselor will supervise every four campers. -
Toggle ItemWhat are the requirements to attend BYU Chem Camps?Each prospective attendee must fill out a short application to attend a BYU Chem Camp. Upon acceptance applicants must register and pay the registration fee. For students eligible for free or reduced-cost school lunches, a fee tuition scholarship is available. Email chemcamp@chem.byu.edu for more information abut a tuition scholarship.
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Toggle ItemWhat is the daily schedule for Chem Camps?Chem Camp
SESSIONS 1 and 2 are for 9-10 year olds are both two-day camps that begin at 9:00 a.m. Drop off will occur between 8:30-8:45 a.m. Snacks and lunch will be provided. Pick up occur between 2:15-2:30 p.m.
SESSIONS 3 and 4 are for 11–12 year olds are both two-day camps that begin at 9:00 a.m. Drop off will occur between 8:30-8:45 a.m. Snacks and lunch will be provided. Pick up occur between 3:15-3:30 p.m.
Drop off and pick up for all sessions will be located at the south end of the BYU campus near the Botany “Duck” Pond.
Additional schedule details will be sent to parents after registration is complete.
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Toggle ItemWhen is the application due? When will we find out whether we have been accepted?Applications are now open and will remain open until May 7, 2021.
Applicants will be accepted as soon as BYU gives final approval of the program. We hope this will occur in early May.
CHEM CAMP REGISTRATION
How do I register for Chem Camp?
First, apply: Apply now. Applicants will then be randomly selected to register for camp sessions. Starting in March, accepted applicants will be given instructions on how to register. You will be contact by an email from chemcamp@chem.byu.edu.
CHEM CAMP FACULTY
Daniel Ess
Professor Daniel Ess runs a computer simulation research group to discover the details of chemical reactions for reactions related to catalysis and energy. He has published over 100 peer-reviewed papers. Professor Ess teaches organic chemistry and publishes in chemical education journals.
Besides his time and passion for chemistry, Professor Ess enjoys playing and watching all sports and listening to live music.
Besides his time and passion for chemistry, Professor Ess enjoys playing and watching all sports and listening to live music.
Kara Stowers
Professor Kara Stowers studies catalyst design that will decrease the energy required for making chemicals from renewable sources. She has a diverse chemistry background that allows her to approach these challenges from a number of angles. Professor Stowers teaches both introductory general chemistry and advanced inorganic chemistry.
When she is not researching or teaching, Professor Stowers can be found hiking, snow-shoeing, or reading classic fiction.
When she is not researching or teaching, Professor Stowers can be found hiking, snow-shoeing, or reading classic fiction.
Rebecca Sansom
Professor Rebecca Sansom is interested in the reasoning strategies students use in chemistry laboratory settings, and the development of self-efficacy in chemistry students. She is the coordinator for general chemistry laboratories at BYU and teaches general chemistry, general chemistry laboratory, and chemistry education courses.
Outside the classroom, Professor Sansom enjoys birding, and playing on a flag football team with other female faculty.
Outside the classroom, Professor Sansom enjoys birding, and playing on a flag football team with other female faculty.
Jennifer Nielson
Professor Jennifer Nielson is actively engaged in the international chemistry education community, traveling to Uganda each summer to lead professional development courses for chemistry teachers. She teaches general, organic, and biochemistry courses at BYU, and organizes community outreach programs like the hands-on chemistry workshop for kids at the Provo library during National Chemistry Week each fall.
Professor Nielson is an avid fan of good food and her favorite chemistry is in the kitchen.
Professor Nielson is an avid fan of good food and her favorite chemistry is in the kitchen.
Wally Paxton
Professor Wally Paxton creates new synthetic materials that mimic natural cell membranes to help release medicines at the right place in the body. He also creates new kinds of sensors for biological organisms.
In his free time, Professor Paxton enjoys mountain biking and playing Super Smash Bros. with his boys.
In his free time, Professor Paxton enjoys mountain biking and playing Super Smash Bros. with his boys.
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For Questions
contact
chemcamp@chem.byu.edu
chemcamp@chem.byu.edu
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