Students explore the sciences in GSSM summer camp

Nearly 300 of the state’s “wiz kids” in science are participating in the Summer Science Program (SSP) at the Governor's School for Science & Mathematics (GSSM).

Rising eighth, ninth and 10th-graders interested in science, technology and mathematics from across South Carolina are in Hartsville this week for GSSM’s 2011 Summer Science Program (SSP).

The camp is in its 22nd year, said Susan Engelhardt, SSP coordinator. Ths is her first year as coordinator. Clyde Smith, a teacher at GSSM, coordinated prior summer science camps. The Summer Science Program is a week-long, residential summer camp on GSSM's campus where campers are conducting interactive experiments in the school’s state-of-the-art labs, participating in sessions led by college professors and exploring science outside of the classroom through field trips and other hands-on activities. There are two sessions. One June 19-25 and the other June 26-July 2.

“We have classes in classical physics and in computer science in creating Web Applets and computer simulations, along with codes and cryptography and wildlife photography…,” said Engelhardt.

New classes this year for rising eighth-graders are Creating Web Applets and The Secret World of Plants. Back for week two of camp is the popular Lego Robotics class.

Computer science instructor at GSSM Elizabeth Bunn is teaching the Creating Web Applets.

“…These kids are terrific. We are having a wonderful time, and they are learning how to write Java Applets,” Bunn said, “and I think we are going to have a really good group of computer scientists in the future.”

Bunn said the students come from all over the state. She has one student who is from Germany but living in Greenville.

Rising ninth-graders will have the opportunity to take Wildlife and Nature Photography which is new this year with field trips to places like Riverbanks Zoo, Brookgreen Gardens and Huntington State Park. Repeat classes include CSI- GSSM, Herbal Medicine, Field Ecology of the Southern Appalachians and others.

New this year for the rising 10th-grader is Communicating Science, Codes and Cryptography, Creating Interactive Computer Simulations and Sports Ranking.

Sam Ellison of Due West said, “I really came to this camp because I enjoy physics, and I like doing that kind of stuff.” "SSP allows teens to explore and apply science in a fun environment that is unlike their typical classroom setting," said Randall La Cross, vice president of outreach and research for GSSM in a release. "Through programs like SSP, we hope to inspire students to pursue studies and careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics."

Guest appearances will be made by science professionals, including a crime scene investigator and a nuclear physics professor.

Both sessions start with a welcome barbeque on Sunday evening and close with a dance party on Friday night.