EAC Discovery Park Campus hosts Eastern Arizona Regional Science Initiative camp
[Click Image to Enlarge] EAC Discovery Park Campus hosts Eastern Arizona Regional Science Initiative camp
By Lori Dugan
Thatcher, AZ—EAC’s Discovery Park Campus hosted the Eastern Arizona Science Initiative’s 7th annual EASI Summer Science Camp earlier this summer. Over 70 students represented eight Eastern Arizona schools including Morenci’s Fairbanks Middle School, Duncan High School, Solomon Jr. High School, Bonita Elementary School, Safford’s Dorothy Stinson Elementary School, Thatcher High School, Thatcher Middle School, and Discovery Plus Academy, in Pima. The camp is an annual event sponsored by the Eastern Arizona Science Initiative (EASI), through grants from Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold to support science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education in eastern Arizona.
The summer science camp was divided into two sessions: 6th and 7th grade, and 8th through 10th grade. The students participated in activities and experiments involving the three sciences: earth science, life science, and physical science. They decorated shirts, got a closer look at mushrooms with microscopes, created flashes of light by combining chemicals, studied the sun with the Discovery Park Campus telescope, recreated the human digestive system, and much more.
A favorite activity of the camp was the day trip to Gila Box Riparian National Conservation Area, in Bonita Creek, where the students were able to use professional equipment to examine water quality and identify a variety of aquatic life found in Bonita Creek. They also had the opportunity to meet and talk with a BLM fisheries biologist, and a BLM ranger in the field to discuss natural resources and future career options.
Another camp favorite was the Astronomy Evening held on Discovery Park Campus where students enjoyed pizza and discussed experiences from camp. After dark, they explored the wonders of the universe by studying the stars and learning the history of ancient constellations using the 20” Tinsley telescope.
“The summer science camp provides an opportunity for some of the sharpest student minds in eastern Arizona to come together and learn from enthusiastic and knowledgeable educators from a variety of science and business backgrounds,” says EAC Discovery Park Campus director and director of the camp, Paul Anger, “They have come together with a common goal of improving S.T.E.M. - Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math education in eastern Arizona.”
Anger continued, “EASI is supported by great people and organizations: Eastern Arizona College, Freeport McMoRan Copper and Gold Foundation for financial support through the Valley of the Sun United Way, the United Way grants from the wonderful FMI employees, the U of A Graham County Extension Office staff and instructors, BLM Safford Field Office, Safford Schools Summer Meals program, and those wonderful teachers from all over Eastern Arizona who share their time and talents to teach these incredible youth.”
The Eastern Arizona Science Initiative (EASI) is a collaboration of individuals from throughout Eastern Arizona, including local educators, administrators, and community members who have a united goal of attracting students to science in the hopes of motivating them to seek advanced college courses and careers in science. EASI also sponsors the annual Eastern Arizona Regional Science Fair and quarterly workshops for teacher professional development, all hosted by EAC’s Discovery Park Campus. “Please support your students and their teachers by encouraging their participation in the events and activities shared by the Eastern Arizona Science Initiative (EASI),” said Anger.