The Science Program to Inspire Creativity and Excellence, also known as SPICE, plans to double its science camp offerings for sixth- to eighth-grade girls this summer.
Demand for the program was so high in 2015 that the program had to turn away an entire group of girls from the July summer camps. Girls who didn’t make it into the program weren’t left with nothing, though: They were invited to participate in research on the program and were provided a free, three-day science mini-camp at the end of August.
Preliminary results of the research, which was conducted by Brandy Todd, assistant director of the Oregon Center for Optics and director of SPICE, show that SPICE Camp has a positive measurable impact on girls’ interest in science, science efficacy, attitudes toward science and science identities.
In order to meet the program’s high demand, SPICE has proposed a second session in August. If the program receives 40 new applications from eligible girls by April 1, the second session will go forward and all new applicants will be guaranteed a spot in one of the two sessions.
Session one of SPICE Camp will be held July 11-22 on the UO Campus. If the new application threshold is met, the second session will held Aug. 8-19.
Applications are available on their website. The fee for the two weeks of camp is $325 per child, but the camp tries to accommodate to parents who need help with the cost.
“Whether it’s through payment options or a scholarship, we’re hoping to get every girl who wants to come to the camp a chance to come,” Todd said.
SPICE provides three cohort-based camps for rising sixth-, seventh- and eighth-grade girls from around Lane County.
Discovery Camp (rising sixth-graders) kicks off with a science scavenger hunt that takes girls all over the UO campus to collect data and solve puzzles. It wraps up with an Amazing Science Race in which the girls apply the skills they have learned through the course of camp.
In the Forensic Investigation Camp (rising seventh-graders), girls learn how to gather and analyze evidence using biology, chemistry, physics, psychology and geology. In the final week of camp they put their skills to the test in order to solve a diabolical mystery.
Engineering & Computer Science camp (rising eighth-graders) teaches girls how to build, design in 3D and program all the components necessary to build fully functional pinball machines. From the PB&J robot to power tools, these girls learn everything necessary to carry out complex electronic and mechanical designs.
SPICE Camp takes place in the Lorey I. Lokey Science Complex on the UO Camps and various field trip locations and is supported by the UO, modest tuition fees and scholarships provided by donors.