Camp BIOmed 2023
Registration opens January 15 2023
NWABR'S 2023 CAMP BIOMED:
Camp BIOmed is a week-long science summer camp for high school students interested in biomedical or health science careers. Camps will run from July 10 to August 18, 2023. NWABR will offer five exciting tracks: The Molecular Biology of Cancer - good cells gone bad, CSI (Crime Scene Investigation) - Solve a murder mystery, Genetic Engineering: Recombinant DNA Technology, Next Gen Science:Origami of Life with Bioinformatics & Microbiology.
Scroll down for a short introduction to individual camp themes.
Who is eligible?
All students entering into Grades 9-12 in the fall of 2023 are welcome to register and attend. In order to ensure a safe learning environment for students and staff, we require that all the students must be fully vaccinated. Submission of vaccination proof is mandatory.
What does the camp cost?
Each camp will cost $695 for non-members and $625 for employees of member institutions. Early bird discounts and scholarships are available. Visit registration page for details and Financial Assistance page for scholarship application.
Where and when are the camps held?
Weeklong camps will be held from 9 AM to 3 PM (M-F) at the Seattle Pacific University campus laboratory from July 10-August 18 2023. Visit registration page for complete schedule details.
A Culminating Expo will be held each Friday from 1 PM to 3 PM giving campers from all camp tracks an opportunity to come together, present their work, and share their camp experiences with friends and family.
Genetic Engineering Recombinant DNA Technology **
The genetic engineering camp introduces students to recombinant DNA techniques and its practical applications. The curriculum will provide students with an overview of modern biotechnology, genetic engineering and gene regulation. Students will also gain an understanding for how scientists isolate genes away from the genome through cloning and/or PCR, which is key to investigate a gene’s function.*
CSI (Crime Scene Investigation) Camp: Solve a murder mystery **
What is forensic science? How do scientists go about solving a crime scene? The campers will learn
and apply various forensic and molecular biology techniques, including DNA fingerprinting, ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays), blood typing, latent fingerprinting and blood spatter analysis. They will also do a pig heart dissection. Towards the end of the week, the campers take charge of a mock crime scene and use the framework they have learned during the week to solve the mystery on their own!*
The Molecular Biology of Cancer- good cells gone bad **
What is cancer? Why is it so hard to cure? What are the current approaches and techniques being used by research scientists to fight this devastating disease? In this hands-on laboratory camp students will learn the cellular and molecular basis of cancer and its causes and have an opportunity to perform some of the fundamental lab techniques that are the foundation of cancer research. Students will learn current laboratory protocols for techniques that include DNA restriction digest, gel electrophoresis, ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay), and microarrays. Students will also perform an Ames tests, a brain dissection, and use basic online bioinformatics tools to explore gene mutations and cancer.*
Next Gen Science: Origami of Life with Bioinformatics **
The Bioinformatics/Genome Science camp will introduce students to modern genomic analysis by combining molecular techniques used in the laboratory with computer analysis. Students will examine the genetic basis for human variation and use DNA barcoding to study biodiversity and food fraud. In each project, students will use several bioinformatics methods to analyze their data. It is a perfect wet and dry lab combination for students who are interested in how computer science is applied to the management and analysis of biological data.
In medical microbiology, students will be introduced to common disease causing pathogens, including bacteria, fungi, and viruses. We will also discuss the emerging understanding of the importance of the microbiome in human health and disease.
In the lab portion of the class, students will examine prepared slides to learn to recognize identifying characteristics of different types of bacteria. As an introduction to microbiological techniques, students will isolate and grow bacteria and fungi collected from indoor and outdoor environments, then test different strains of bacteria for resistance to several antibiotic compounds. As a culmination, students will perform diagnostic tests as they work through a medical case study of a patient suspected to have a microbial infection. *
* The curriculum of this camp is under development. Once finalized more details will be provided
** Although we try to keep the final curriculum as close to the above descriptions as possible, please be aware that some curricculum adaptations may be necessary to the individual camps as each week unfolds.
For eligibility, camp logistics, and more information, please visit FAQs.
CAMP BIOMED IN THE PAST
NWABR’s first summer camp was organized in 2014 with two camp tracks. It gradually moved towards three themes, to four themes and then to five themes in 2019.
For pictures of the camp, please visit our Facebook page....
Camp BIOmed Goals
- ·Increase student understanding of how biomedical research is conducted; from exploration and discovery to testing and analysis.
- ·Increase student awareness of how ethical considerations play a role in research, including the ethical guidelines that govern research.
- ·Promote awareness of science careers.
- ·Build a supportive community of students, science educators, and scientists.
