We're Empowered by Science (WEBS)

This program is designed for those who have a sincere interest in the sciences, have potential for a career in the sciences, and wish to develop the skills and knowledge necessary to reach their full potential in this field.

WEBS 1.0 labs include:

• Bone Hunt | A scavenger hunt for bones? Really? WEBS campers will learn how the human skeleton is organized, search the Wilkes campus for “human bones,” and assemble their own skeleton.
• Coastal Impacts of Sea Level Rise | Campers will build several different coastal shoreline environments and then observe the impact of simulated sea level rise. Campers will reflect on how sea level rise impacts different types of coastal environments.
• Converging and Diverging with Shoes | Campers will need a variety of shoes for this lab! After a brief introduction to key concepts in evolution including convergent and divergent evolution, campers will answer these questions: Why do different organisms look the same? Why do related organisms looks so different? These questions and more will be answered as campers look through the wacky ways of evolution with the help of everyone’s favorite accessories: shoes!
• CSI (Crime Scene Investigation) | Using the power of observation and technology in order to solve crimes is the goal of Forensic Sciences. In this CSI laboratory, campers will collect and analyze evidence (hair, clothing fibers, fingerprinting, etc.) to solve a crime and find the culprit.
• Frog Dissection (Optional) | Did you ever wonder what the inside of your body looks like? By dissecting a frog, you can learn a lot about your own anatomy. For those of you who really don’t like this idea for a lab, we will have an alternative activity for you.
• Genetics | Genetics is, in basic terms, the study of inheritance - how we pass traits from one generation to the next and what kinds of things affect what traits we see in different individuals. In this lab, campers will use simulations, live animals (fruit flies), and other activities to investigate and learn more about how genes make us (and other organisms) who and what we are.
• It’s the Balm | Campers will have hands-on experience compounding lip balm in this lab. This activity provides campers an opportunity to use the equipment of the Pharmacy Laboratory at Wilkes University to melt down beeswax and add aromatherapy scents of their choice to create the perfect new lip balm. This activity is loved by people of all ages as it teaches them foundational elements of compounding as they work with pharmacists at Wilkes University.
• Nutrition | Have you ever wondered why every food container lists the chemicals present? Have you ever wondered how that list was made? Humans are made of many chemicals including carbohydrates, fats, proteins and nucleic acids. In order to grow and live, we need more of these chemicals, so we get these chemicals from the food we eat. We will use the fact that each of these chemicals has different properties to determine which of these chemicals is present in some common foods.
• Oil Spill | Campers will participate in a review of recent oil spills and work through experimental methods to evaluate how the spill will travel. Camper groups will use various techniques to effectively remediate oil spills and discuss practical solutions to large spills.
• Escape the Room: Pharmacy Escape Room | In the “Escape the ℞oom” activity, you will work in teams to solve fun pharmacy puzzles and challenges. Campers will learn what pharmacists do—like filling prescriptions, checking for safety, and helping patients use their medicine the right way. It’s a hands-on activity that shows how exciting and important a career in pharmacy can be!
• Pop Pop, Fizz Fizz: Drug Dissolution | Medications are available in many formulations. Campers will work in pairs to evaluate three different medication formulations to investigate which formulation is dissolved in the body the fastest. It is important for pharmacists to know how fast medications will work so they can educate their patients appropriately. This activity will also discuss medication safety and options for safe medication disposal.
• Robots | Campers will focus on programming and problem-solving using LEGO SPIKE Prime robotics kits. Through guided workshops and fun challenges, campers learn coding fundamentals, experiment with logic and sequences, and test their programs in real time as their robots interact with the environment. Alongside building, they explore how software drives hardware, strengthening computational thinking and creative design skills in a playful, hands-on setting.
• You Be the Doctor! | Campers will work in small groups on a case study involving the diagnosis of a medical condition based on symptoms. After researching the symptoms, gathering important and pertinent medical information and making a concluding diagnosis, students will present their project to other camp participants.

The WEBS 2.0 program was created at the request of campers who aged out of our WEBS 1.0 programs but who still wanted to participate in the WEBS experience.

Although many WEBS 2.0 summer campers have attended WEBS 1.0 camp, no prior WEBS experience is necessary to attend the 2.0 camp. However, if campers are placed on a wait list because the program is at capacity, preference will be given to those who have attended in the past when taking campers off the wait list.

The goal of WEBS 2.0 camp is to expose individuals to areas of science and the arts they likely have not experienced. The 2.0 program encourages a love of learning, broadens horizons, introduces new areas of interest and increases critical thinking skills in an environment that fosters independence and challenges one's self through age-appropriate learning and team building activities.

As a WEBS 2.0 participant, you will spend much of your time in state-of-the-art science and engineering labs working with world-class professors and scientists on the Wilkes University campus. Throughout the week there will be opportunities to attend off-site field trips and to serve as mentors to younger WEBS campers.

WEBS labs may include:

• Independent Research Projects | Campers will design and conduct their own research project on a topic of their choice. They will develop a question, collect and analyze data, and present their findings to fellow campers at the end of the week, building skills in scientific inquiry and communication.
• Animal Behavior | Why do animals behave the way they do? Campers will investigate how animals communicate, respond to their environments, and interact with one another through hands-on activities, observations, and experiments with live or model organisms. Activities may connect to the camp’s yearly theme and explore everything from survival adaptations to personality traits in animals.
• Astronomy | Campers will explore the mysteries of space through activities focused on planets, stars, galaxies, and other celestial objects. Through simulations, demonstrations, and hands-on investigations, campers will discover how astronomers study the universe and learn about the science behind space exploration.
• Dissections | Campers will explore anatomy and physiology through guided dissections connected to the camp’s annual theme. By examining real specimens, students will investigate how body structures relate to function while comparing adaptations across different organisms. Alternative activities may be available for campers who prefer not to participate in dissections.
• Ecology | From forests and oceans to prehistoric worlds and tropical jungles, campers will explore how living things interact with each other and their environment. Through hands-on investigations and environmental challenges, campers will learn about ecosystems, food webs, biodiversity, and conservation.
• Engineering | Campers will tackle creative engineering challenges by designing, building, and testing solutions to real-world problems. Activities may include constructing protective devices, exploring materials and structures, or experimenting with technology and design principles while developing teamwork and problem-solving skills.
• Medicine | Campers will step into the role of healthcare professionals as they explore topics related to human health, diagnosis, and medical procedures. Activities may include case studies, suturing simulations, medical technology demonstrations, and interactive experiences led by healthcare professionals or medical students.
• Microbiology | Campers will investigate the unseen world of microbes through hands-on laboratory activities. From growing beneficial bacteria to exploring microorganisms found in everyday life, campers will learn how microbes impact health, food, ecosystems, and the environment.
• Physics | Campers will discover the science behind how the world works through experiments involving motion, forces, sound, energy, and more. Through interactive demonstrations and engineering-style challenges, campers will apply physics concepts to fun, real-world situations.
• Field Trips | Campers may participate in field trips connected to the camp’s annual theme. Past experiences have included visits to museums, research facilities, nature centers, and other locations that provide opportunities to explore science beyond the classroom.