NU's Institute of Applied Learning offering STEM Camp for girls

Girls, this one's for you!

Niagara University's Institute of Applied Learning, an arm of its College of Education, is offering a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) Camp for girls in grades 7 to 9. The camp runs Aug. 13 to 16, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. each day.

Topics that will be covered during the camp include:

Frontiers of Energy Sources: Participants will explore a wide variety of energy sources, analyzing their strengths and weaknesses. The many uses of fossil fuels, solar, biofuel, wind and nuclear sources for energy efficient operations will be covered, as will the ability to use alternate energy sources to make devices run. Finally, the group will explore careers in the global energy resources industry.

Fat, Salt and Sugar: Campers will discover how these white powders influence the electricity in their bodies and how they affect health. They will also investigate how fructose results in fat deposition and why some fats improve health while others are "equal-opportunity destroyers."

Making Organic Sunscreen: Participants will learn how sunscreen protects them from the sun's harmful ultraviolet rays and prevents skin cancer. They will discover why some chemicals in commercial sunscreens can irritate the skin and find out what organic compounds can naturally absorb the sun's UV rays. The group will be taught how to prepare organic sunscreen.

Making Natural, Non-Toxic Dyes: Students will be instructed on how to dye fabrics using plants and flowers. They will learn how to select plant and flower dye materials, make their own dyes and prepare the fabric so that the dye will adhere to it.

A $100 registration fee covers camp materials, lunch and snacks. Transportation to NU is not provided.

For more information, call 716-286-8309 or email [email protected].