MTSU science college’s camp steers high schoolers toward STEM careers

MTSU Department of Biology assistant professor Jessica Arbour, right, holds a tank with a fish caught in the Stones River at the Thompson Lane Trailhead recenlty during the first day of the Middle Tennessee State University College of Basic and Applied Sciences STEM Camp. Arbour uses a shocking method to catch various types of fish, which are studied and released back into the water. (MTSU photo by Tom Beckwith)

Amanda Albakry enjoys science-related things “so you can learn how to help people,” and she plans to become a pediatrician.

As fellow teenager Shyann Lyons gets older, she intends to pursue biology and “wants to inspire people” through poetry and other ways.

High school students participating in the 2023 Middle Tennessee State Univeristy College of Basic and Applied Sciences STEM Camp use a large net to catch fish in the Stones River at the Thompson Lane Trailhead recently. Organizers use a shocking method to catch the fish, which are then studied and returned to the water. (MTSU photo by Tom Beckwith)

They were two of nearly 75 high school students attending this summer’s MTSU College of Basic and Applied Sciences STEM Camp, held recently in the Science Building and numerous other facilities at Middle Tennessee State University.

The CBAS science, technology, engineering and math camp occurred June 19-23 and included field trips to the Stones River and MTSU Farm. Students from Nashville, Antioch and McMinnville, Tennessee, and locally from Rutherford County, were part of the second group as the camp continues to expand.

Razan Mirghani, left, of Murfreesboro, Tenn., Dylan Dennis of Nashville, Tenn., and Turner Olsen of Ooltewah, Tenn., work together to solve a chemistry problem during the second MiddleTennessee State University College of Basic and Applied Sciences STEM summer camp at MTSU. The camp gives young students a taste of biology, chemistry, math, science education, physics and engineering technology through fun activities and events with real professors in a college setting. (MTSU photo by J. Intintoli)

MTSU faculty, staff and student volunteers made the teenagers feel like they were in college — requiring note-taking, goggles and final-day presentations — and consider attending after high school graduation.

Amanda Albakry of Murfreesboro, rising Oakland High School sophomore — Amanda Albakry

Albakry, 15, of Murfreesboro, a rising sophomore at Oakland High School, learned how to shock fish for research purposes at the Thompson Lane Trailhead on Day 1 of the camp.

“I was able to shock and study the fish,” said Albakry, whose 11-person group was led by biology assistant professor Jessica Arbour and others. “We brought fish out of the water and put them in tanks to study and then release back into the water.” Her group studied chemistry on Tuesday and physics on Wednesday.

Shyan n Lyons of Christiana, Tennessee. — Shyann Lyons

Lyons, 14, of Christiana, Tennessee, a homeschooled student who “studies at my own pace through the Acellus Academy, called the camp “amazing.”

“I love the activities,” she said. “They (faculty and MTSU students) get you to think. Each activity teaches you a lesson. Everyone should at least try the camp.”

Lyons’ group also learned about quantum and MTSU’s Quantum Science Initiative, math and chemistry and visited the MTSU Farm in Lascassas, Tennessee, and Flight Operations Center at Murfreesboro Airport.

Dr. Greg Van Patten, professor, Chemistry; dean, CBAS — Dr. Greg Van Patten

CBAS Dean Greg Van Patten said they “are hoping they get a chance to see that science isn’t just something you learn in a classroom. It’s about discovery, it’s about hands-on activities, and that’s what we offer in college at MTSU, in our classes, in our labs and in our research experiences. We’re hoping the campers get a feel for that.”

The range of activities also includes engineering, STEM education, Concrete and Construction Management and agriculture.

To learn more about the STEM camp or to consider attending in 2024, call 615-898-2613 or email Lindsey.Reynolds@mtsu.edu.

— Randy Weiler (Randy.Weiler@mtsu.edu)