ScienceSouth's Summer of Science Sleuthing

Thursday, July 12, 2007

Darlington, SC -- A summer filled with top-secret missions, mysteries and intrigue might sound like the plot from a summer blockbuster, but it's the theme of ScienceSouth's professional development camp for teachers: Science Mission Impossible 2007. ScienceSouth's summer of camps culminates at Darlington Middle School on Thursday, July 12, 2007. This day will feature a top-secret challenge for student campers.

ScienceSouth student campers participate in a rocketry workshop.

The mission of ScienceSouth is to inspire, educate and entertain and to some teachers this camp is the perfect method to expose students to science. "We're learning different aspects of science," said Sarah Pullie, a third grade teacher from Dillon School District Three. "Some people think that you can only do science in a laboratory and that's not the case. Investigating the soil under your feet and the birds in your backyard is science." The camp culminates with a top-secret mission challenge for student campers.

The 2007 Science Mission Impossible camps mark the fifth year of ScienceSouth's Summer Science Teacher Challenge Camps. Some teachers like Ernestine Hemingway of Britton's Neck Elementary School have been there from the beginning. "This has been the best camp," said Hemingway. In an effort to focus intently on the needs of all teachers, ScienceSouth restructured its camps by grade levels. All camps feature hands-on workshops with standards-based lessons created from the expressed needs of area teachers. Through mid-July hundreds of teachers and students across the Pee Dee will have the opportunity to participate in ScienceSouth in this intensive hands-on summer science programming.

A camper prepares to launch his team’s catapult during the challenge.

Led by ScienceSouth's international team of science specialists, teachers and students explore topics ranging from forces and motion to solar energy. ScienceSouth distinguishes itself by providing teachers with experiences that are scientifically valid but are easily used in the classroom. ScienceSouth staff have relevant science degrees, many have advanced degrees and all have many years of science instruction both in and out of the classroom.

About ScienceSouth:
ScienceSouth is a 501 (c) 3 educational enterprise dedicated to improving science and technology education. ScienceSouth develops and delivers hands-on science and mathematics experiences for students, teachers, and families in communities across the Pee Dee region.

Our mission is to inspire life long learning and achievement in science and technology by involving both teachers and students with standardized, high quality science and technology learning experiences.

CONTACT:
Colleen Zilio
ScienceSouth
(843) 629-4040
FAX (843) 629-4341
zilio@sciencesouth.org
www.sciencesouth.org