Sternberg Museum Science Camps 2018

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As a teenager with interests in science and an obsession with paleontology (Dinosaurs!) from the age of 3, I knew getting outside to dig up fossils was something I needed to do. With the help of my parents and relatives, and scholarship programs, I was able to attend multiple outdoor science programs during high school. These camps provided some of the most impactful experiences in my life. From friends who became co-workers, then professional colleagues, to new skills, increased confidence, and a burgeoning love of field work, the personal growth I underwent still amazes me today. Moving on through undergraduate and graduate degrees in earth and life science, improving my teaching skills and conducting my own research, I held my enthusiasm for the benefits of science education in outdoor settings.

The Sternberg Science Camps are a realization of these experiences, providing my own twist on the science education camp formula. For our youngest students, we strive to stoke senses of wonder, excitement, and fascination in the classroom and out on our nature trails. Moving into junior high and high school, students take their first steps into earth and life science field work. In addition to advanced science content, students are taught how to operate respectfully and professionally in field settings. I place a heavy emphasis on making observations and asking questions in all of the camps. I believe this is the best opportunity for students to learn. If they ask, they want to know, and the answer can inspire new questions. This is how science works, and students are taught how to hone and focus their questions, as one would in doing research.

Skill-building is also central to the experience of our middle and high school students. We provide authentic, professional-grade equipment in all of our field camps. Students are trained to use all of the camping and field science equipment attached to their respective program in a safe, responsible manner. These skills are not just important in the context of the work done in the camp programs. They can open doors to future opportunities in high school, college, and into jobs and careers.

Beyond technical abilities, we also work with students to develop their initiative, teamwork, and leadership skills that are crucial in any field. My goal is to make sure every student who participates in the field camps has the chance to strengthen their self-confidence, learn how to best pursue their academic goals, and discover as much as they can in their time with us.

From the Sternberg Museum, my staff of colleagues and former students, and myself, we look forward to welcoming you to the Sternberg Museum Science Camps!

Sincerely, David Levering Education Director Sternberg Museum of Natural History 2017 Highlights Video

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CALENDAR

Find the dates for all of the camps we are offering this year.

GUIDING PHILOSOPHIES

OUR INSTRUCTIONAL STAFF ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

All camps take place at the Sternbergf Museum of Natural History, where we explore topics in the Earth and life sciences.

MIDDLE SCHOOL

One week outdoor camp programs focusing on biology, paleontology, and geology.

HIGH SCHOOL

Challenging 1 to 2 week camps programs for high school students who are interested in learning more about how Earth and life science is done by professionals.

INTERNSHIP

High school camps students are eligible for a competitive digital internship program with the Sternberg Museum.

TRAVEL CONSIDERATIONS Answers to frequently asked questions.

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ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Camp

Trip Dates

Days

Grades

Place

Tuition

Reptiles & Amphibians

June 18

1

1-5

Hays, KS

Member $65, Non-Member $75

Bird Biologist

June 20

1

1-5

Hays, KS

Member $65, Non-Member $75

Marvelous Mammals

June 22

1

1-5

Hays, KS

Member $65, Non-Member $75

Digging up Dinosaurs

June 25

1

1-5

Hays, KS

Member $65, Non-Member $75

Sea Creatures of Kansas

June 27

1

1-5

Hays, KS

Member $65, Non-Member $75

Minerals Rock

June 29

1

1-5

Hays, KS

Member $65, Non-Member $75

Gone Fishing

July 9

1

1-5

Hays, KS

Member $65, Non-Member $75

Insects & Spiders

July 11

1

1-5

Hays, KS

Member $65, Non-Member $75

Trees, Flowers, & Grasses

July 13

1

1-5

Hays, KS

Member $65, Non-Member $75

Camp

Trip Dates

Days

Ages

Place

Tuition

Desert Naturalist Camp

June 10-16

7

11-13

Arches National Monument, UT

Member $660, Non-Member $740

Mountain Naturalist Camp

June 24-29

6

11-13

Rocky Mountains, CO

Member $660, Non-Member $740

Paleontology Expedition Camp

June 17-22, July 22-27

6

11-13

Kansas

Member $625, Non-Member $700

Camp

Trip Dates

Days

Ages

Place

Tuition

Field Science Leadership

June 3-8

6

14-18

Kansas

Member $630, Non-Member $700

Sternberg Paleontology Camp

July 8-20

13

14-18

Kansas

Member $1,420, Non-Member $1,580

Southwest Biology Camp

July 14-20

7

14-18

New Mexico

Member $630, Non-Member $700

Expedition Ecuador Camp

July 29 - Aug 12

15

14-18

Ecuador

Member $4,950, Non-Member $5,200

NEW Expedition Australia

Summer 2019

14-18

Queensland, AU

Info Coming Soon

NEW Northwest Volcanoes

Summer 2019

14-18

Oregon & Washington

Info Coming Soon

14-18

Texas

Info Coming Soon

MIDDLE SCHOOL

HIGH SCHOOL

NEW West Texas Paleontology Winter Break Camp for Girls 2019/2020

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The Sternberg Museum Science Camps field programs are built around a core philosophy of student development and advancement. We train our students with dedicated lessons and by example, giving them new tools and knowledge to use as they pursue their goals.

basis for evolution by natural selection, students are set up to learn content quickly as we build understanding through observations and focused discussions.

Our staff are broadly trained in the topics of their respective camps, and are excited to engage with student questions.

Skill-Building

Fun

Having a core set of field skills can be incredibly valuable for students looking to advance their opportunities in the natural sciences. By introducing and developing these essential and specialized skills, we train our students to be productive, competitive, and prepared for work in science beyond the classroom.

Empowerment

We are program built for science geeks, by science geeks. We love spending time in the field, and want to make sure our students see that while field science can be hard work, it’s also a ton of fun. From outdoor discoveries to making new friends, we strive to keep the work of field science balanced with a healthy dose of laughter!

Field work is a land of extremes. Our students are taught to safely and responsibly carry out our field tasks in a variety of favorable and adverse conditions.

In doing this, students discover their own depths of resilience and strength. Students are taught to monitor themselves and others in their team, and take initiative to get the job done right.

“An aspect of the camp experience that especially impressed my son was how the camp presented a comprehensive picture of what it takes to be a paleontologist. Throughout their daily activities and nightly reviews, campers and staff discussed the academic coursework, field research, and advanced degrees required. This information was especially “This camp experience provided many ‘firsts’ for me. I valuable coming from the grad students and professors had never camped in a tent before; I had never been working shoulder to shoulder with them. This was away from family for that length of time; and I learned truly an unexpected but much appreciated benefit of the camp! Your camp provided the challenges and that given a significant purpose, I had endurance beyond my belief. It was definitely the highlight of my instilled confidence which sparked the conversations that he’s sharing to this day. Thank you!” year.”

Brooke Landwehr Sternberg Paleontology Camp student 2017

Beth Knoll Parent of Sternberg Paleontology Camp student

Advanced Academics We introduce our students to foundational concepts in earth and life sciences to start out our field programs.

From the Law of Superposition to the population 6

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Sternberg Science Camps instructors are practicing science educators and research scientists. We take care to find broadly trained staff excited about working with youth in field science settings. Many of our field instructors are published researchers with special interest in youth outreach, and science educators with extensive experience in outdoor settings. Our teaching assistants and counselors are most often earth and life science graduate students, and exceptionally involved, enthusiastic alumni of our program.

We believe that the opportunity for mentorship and informed training by our specialized staff gives our students a unique opportunity to learn the real ins and outs of pursuing a career in the natural sciences.

a Wilderness EMT, and is considered standard for ensuring student safety in the outdoor camp industry.

Our staff is dedicated to creating a safe, supportive environment where students can learn, grow, and pursue their academic ambitions. They are role models and mentors for our students, helping guide them towards a path that will suit their goals and interests.

They are also huge science nerds, exuding excitement and enthusiasm for their subjects that allows our students to geek out to their heart’s desire.

“We are here for the students who can’t get enough.

We want to give them as much new information, as much new training, as much science content as they Each field camp’ leadership team includes an instructor can handle. We want to blow their minds, then show and teaching assistant, keeping our staff to student them something even more amazing. We want them ratios at no more than 1:5. This instructional team will to leave with sense of wonder for nature and the always include at least one certified Wilderness First natural sciences, and a new confidence in what they Responder (WFR), ensuring quick, precise action in are capable of achieving.” case of injuries in the field. WFRs go through intensive David Levering, Sternberg Education Director, Lead ten day trainings, with required recertification classes Camps Instructor every two years. The WFR certification is one step below

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“I have been participating in the Sternberg’s summer science camps for 3 years, and I have been an employee for the past 2 years. The camps provided me my first real experience of field work. I love it so much that I keep coming back! These camps have given me a distinct advantage over my peers when going into a competitive field. The camps director, David Levering, has given me the privilege of being employed as a T.A. most recently on the biology and paleontology camps for middle schoolers. Teaching and participating in these programs is not only a pleasure, but I know that it has also increased my leadership abilities and scientific skills, building more confidence in myself as a woman pursuing scientific studies. I consider my involvement in these camps a valuable asset, building my toolbox. I know these camps have given me a greater sense of how I may impact my own education and how our world may be so easily changed by reaching out and enriching youth.”

MARJIE CONE

Student in Sternberg Paleontology Camp 2015, SW Biology Camp 2016, Expedition Ecuador 2017; Middle School Camps TA 2016-2017

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Open to students who are ages 6 – 10 as of June 1st 2018.

Drop off is 9:00am on the day of the program. Pick up is 3:00pm on the same day.

Maximum class size is 12 children per camp.

Fees are $65 per member and $75 per non-member REGISTER ONLINE AT http://webapps.fhsu.edu.sterbergPrograms/ Lunch is not provided in the elementary school camps. Participants need to bring their own lunches.

CHECKLIST

REGISTRATION FORMS WAIVER AND RELEASE FORMS STERNBERG MUSEUM MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION (optional, can save you money) FINANCIAL AID APPLICATION (optional)

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Dates Do you love birds? If so, we have got a day of fun and fascination in store for

JUNE 20 (1 day)

you! The Sternberg museum has an incredible collection of bird specimens from all over the world (though most are from right here in Kansas). Learn the structure and types of feathers and how flight works. We will explore the evolution of birds from small carnivorous dinosaurs that lived millions of years ago. Students

Ages

AGES 6 - 10

will get to do simple flight experiments and become “bird biologists� as they look for birds on our nature trails using binoculars.

Cost

$65 PER MEMBER $75 PER NON-MEMBER

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Dates Go back in time to when dinosaurs ruled the earth! Students will explore

JUNE 25 (1 day)

the rulers of the Mesozoic, from their appearance in the Triassic to their

near-extinction at the end of the Cretaceous. We will dive into the diet of these amazing creatures, examining their teeth and skulls for clues about what dinosaurs eat, and how we know. Come find out what prehistoric animals are

Ages

AGES 6 - 10

often mistaken for dinosaurs, and which living animals are actually dinosaurs in disguise! (No really, we still have dinosaurs around today!) Along the way we’ll be doing arts and crafts, interactive activities, and exploring the Museum in our quest to learn more about these spectacular beasts.

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Cost

$65 PER MEMBER $75 PER NON-MEMBER

Dates From sharks to seahorses, fish are pretty amazing and diverse group of animals.

JULY 9 (1 day)

Spend a day with us at the Museum learning about the evolution and adaptations

of our fishy friends, who have been swimming around for over five hundred million years! We’ll look at some prehistoric fish, and find out what made them so unique, and important to the evolution of other groups of animals. Students

Ages

AGES 6 - 10

will also learn how to identify some of the common fish found here in Kansas, and different methods for catching fish.

Cost

$65 PER MEMBER $75 PER NON-MEMBER

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Dates Come out on our nature trails with us as we investigate the world of insects

JULY 11 (1 day)

and spiders! We’ll do insect catch-and-release to identify as many species as possible, and talk about just why insects are so darn diverse. Did you know there are more species of beetle than any other group of insect? Now you do!

While we explore insects, we will also talk about pollinators, and why insects

Ages

AGES 6 - 10

are so important for the fruits and vegetables we eat. Spiders, we will learn, are also our friends! They eat all kinds of insects that we sometimes find pesky.

Students will also get to visit our giant collection of insects in the Sternberg

$65 PER MEMBER $75 PER NON-MEMBER

Zoology Collections!

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Cost

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Dates We have all kinds of cool mammals living in Kansas today: cats, dogs, horses,

JUNE 22 (1 day)

cows, mice, raccoons, opossums, and people just to name a few. In this program,

we’ll learn about what makes mammals the furry, warm-blooded animals we know and love today. Students will get to investigate mammal skeletons, and learn about how useful teeth are in distinguishing species of mammals, and

Ages

AGES 6 - 10

telling what they eat! We will also talk about the evolution of mammals using our Museum fossil collection and our modern zoology collection. Finally, we’ll get outside and look for different mammals, and mammal tracks, around our nature trails and by our pond!

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Cost

$65 PER MEMBER $75 PER NON-MEMBER

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Dates We all know that geology “rocks”, but there’s more to earth science than just

JUNE 29 (1 day)

dirt and volcanoes. We’ll explore the rock cycle, learn the difference between a rock and a mineral, and talk about how the continents actually move around the earth! We will learn about what makes volcanoes erupt and the different ways in which they do it. Did you know that volcanoes that don’t erupt lava can

Ages

AGES 6 - 10

sometimes be the most dangerous? Shake, rattle, and roll with earth science and learn how millions of years ago the oceans of Kansas left behind a stunning record in the rocks. Rock on, geologists!

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Cost

$65 PER MEMBER $75 PER NON-MEMBER

Dates From snakes to tortoises to poison arrow frogs, the Sternberg Museum has an

JUNE 18 (1 day)

incredible collection of live reptiles and amphibians. Come learn about the rattlesnakes of North America, see our poison arrow frogs eat tiny insects, and check out Darius and Pebbles, our giant tortoises! Students will have a chance to handle live snakes (non-venomous, of course) with the help of our education

Ages

AGES 6 - 10

staff. We will also venture out into our nature trails to hunt for reptiles and amphibians, and learn all about their biology and ecology!

Cost

$65 PER MEMBER $75 PER NON-MEMBER

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Dates Join us on a journey into the past, and explore the fossils of the Cretaceous

JUNE 27 (1 day)

Interior Seaway! Students will see specimens from our world-class fossil collection, from sharks and swimming birds to giant mosasaurs. Our fossil galleries have amazing specimens around every turn, and we’ll dive right into the paleontology of Cretaceous Kansas! Before the end of the day, students

Ages

AGES 6 - 10

will also get to make and paint their own shark tooth fossil casts. Students will also get to see and handle real fossil bones from our teaching collection! From Tylosaurus to Pteranodon, we’ll discover just how incredible the fossil creatures of Kansas are!

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Cost

$65 PER MEMBER $75 PER NON-MEMBER

Dates

JULY 13 (1 day) Head out to the Sternberg Museum’s Howard Reynolds Nature Trails to explore the incredible world of plants! We will spend time out on the trails finding and identifying trees and other wild plants before collecting some leaves and

Ages

AGES 6 - 10

flowers for activities. Back in the classroom, we will go over how to tell apart different plant structures, from leaves and stems to flowers and roots. Students will also learn about fruits and seeds, why there plants parts come in so many

Cost

shapes and sizes, and what they do. Did you know that a spicy pepper is painful

$65 PER MEMBER $75 PER NON-MEMBER

for mammals to eat, but not for birds? Birds eat the peppers and spread the seeds, allowing new plants to grow in different places. Pretty cool!

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“I would absolutely recommend the Sternberg Museum Science Camps! For me, knowing that David is wilderness trained in safety gives me the confidence and security to know that my child will be safe on their adventures. Of course, the quality of the programming speaks for itself. The staff are clearly passionate about the Sciences, the environment, and really help to instill the love of the great outdoors in our kids.�

PARENT OF SOUTHWEST BIOLOGY CAMP STUDENT

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1.785.639.5249 https://sternberg.fhsu.edu/

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Open to students who are ages 11 – 13 as of June 1st 2018.

Drop off is 8:00am on the first day. Pick up is by 5:00pm on the last day. Maximum class size is 10 students per camp.

REGISTER ONLINE AT http://webapps.fhsu.edu.sternbergPrograms/ Additional information about each camp, including financial aid, registration, and equipment lists, can be found on the Museum website. Equipment lists are unique to each camp.

CHECKLIST

REGISTRATION FORMS WAIVER AND RELEASE FORMS STUDENT STATEMENT OF INTEREST LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION

STERNBERG MUSEUM MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION (optional, can save you money)

FINANCIAL AID APPLICATION (optional)

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1.785.639.5249 https://sternberg.fhsu.edu/

Dates BIOLOGY | CAMPING | CONSERVATION | HIKING | GEOLOGY | FIELD SAFETY We will be driving from Hays, Kansas to Arches National Monument in Utah!

On our way, we will explore wildlife and ecosystems from prairie to mountains

JUNE 10 - 16 (6 days) Ages

AGES 11 - 13

to rocky deserts. We will camp at different locations along the way, and use tools such as GPS units, black lights, spotting scopes, and aspirators (tiny insect vacuums) to learn about how professional scientists investigate the natural world. Students will explore how plant and animal life interacts in remarkable, unique ways bursting with opportunities for discovery! We will also introduce

Cost

$660 PER MEMBER $740 PER NON-MEMBER

essential concepts in ecology and evolution that are key to understanding how living systems and organisms work, change, and interact. Along the way, we will emphasize discussion of ideas and critical thinking skills, helping students build knowledge as well as mental tools to tackle complex subjects. This camp is perfect for any middle school students with a love for wildlife and the outdoors.

We can’t wait for you to join us!

1.785.639.5249 https://sternberg.fhsu.edu/

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Dates

JUNE 24 - 29 (6 days) BIOLOGY | CAMPING | CONSERVATION | HIKING | GEOLOGY | FIELD SAFETY

Ages

AGES 11 - 13

Travel across the Kansas prairie to Colorado to explore wildlife and habitats high up in the Rocky Mountains! Students will be lead on excursions to find and identify plants and animals in majestic wilderness. This includes setting motion-sensing trail cameras, to catch a glimpse of critters that are a bit more shy.

We will also explore the history of the Rocky Mountains, and how their formation affected the wildlife and habitats of western North America. Students will get to see transitions in animal and plant life, and discuss explanations for these differences with instructional staff. Our adventures also include nocturnal wildlife hikes, looking for owls, foxes, insects, and other night time creatures. We will camp at different locations along the way, and use tools such as GPS units, black lights, spotting scopes, and other tools to learn about how professional scientists investigate the natural world. Along the way, we will emphasize discussion of ideas and critical thinking skills, helping students build knowledge as well as mental tools to tackle complex subjects. The mountains are calling! Let’s go!

Cost

$660 PER MEMBER $740 PER NON-MEMBER

Dates

PALEONTOLGY | GEOLOGY | FOSSIL COLLECTING | CAMPING | FIELD SAFETY

JULY 17 - 22 JULY 22- 27 (6 days) Ages

Come explore the fossils of Kansas! Sharks, ammonites, giant clams, ancient

AGES 11 - 13

sea turtles, fossilized ferns, and giant mosasaurs are only the beginning of the incredible diversity of fossil organisms found here. In this camp, students will be introduced to paleontology field work done right. Using professional field equipment, we will prospect for surface fossils, document sites, and learn how to correctly and safely collect fossil material. Along the way, students will learn

Cost

$625 PER MEMBER $700 PER NON-MEMBER

how to identify fossil material, and be introduced to the basics of sedimentary geology. We also emphasize field safety skills, training students how to work safely in the hot, dry environments fossils are frequently found. Discussion and building critical thinking skills are also emphasized as we learn about the geologic record, and explore the evidence for evolution we find preserved in the rocks!

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“One of the most beneficial activities in this program was the inclusion of scientific discussions at the end of each day to help us have a clear understanding of what we were doing and seeing.

I found the questions that revolved around college and education to be most helpful in assisting me to choose the best route for my future education. I couldn’t be more thankful for the scientific discussions. My favorite area that we explored had to be White Sands National Monument. Getting to see such a unique area with specifically evolved life was amazing. This truly was a trip I will never forget.”

COLTON FARRA

Southwest Biology Camp student 2017

1.785.639.5249 https://sternberg.fhsu.edu/

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Open to students who are ages 14 – 18 as of June 1st 2018.

Drop off is 8:00am on the first day. Pick up is by 5:00pm on the last day. Maximum class size is 10 students per camp.

REGISTER ONLINE AT http://webapps.fhsu.edu.sternbergPrograms/ Additional information about each camp, including financial aid, registration, and equipment lists, can be found on the Museum website. Equipment lists are unique to each camp.

CHECKLIST

REGISTRATION FORMS WAIVER AND RELEASE FORMS STUDENT STATEMENT OF INTEREST LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION

STERNBERG MUSEUM MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION (optional, can save you money)

FINANCIAL AID APPLICATION (optional)

Dates FIELD SAFETY | MAPS & NAVIGATION | WILDERNESS FIRST AID | LEADERSHIP SKILLS | HIKING CAMPING | TEACHING This camp program emphasizes developing leadership and communication skills.

Students will be trained in organizing and managing groups of students in field settings. We use a combination of discussion and practical, scenario-based training to build knowledge, skills, and confidence over this six day program. Students are also trained in strategies and techniques for teaching science in the field, leading discussion groups, addressing student questions, and field crisis management. We treat this camp as a training program for potential future camps counselors and teaching assistants. We present knowledge, content, and skills we look for in students who have advanced to staff positions within our camps program. This training takes place here in western Kansas, visiting paleontological as well as wildlife-centric field sites as backdrops for our training lessons and activities.

JUNE 3 - 8 (6 days) Ages

AGES 14 - 18

Cost

$630 PER MEMBER $700 PER NON-MEMBER

This program is conducted in cooperation with SOLO wilderness medicine school, and offers students the opportunity to complete a Wilderness First Aid certification.

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EVOLUTION | ECOLOGY | CONSERVATION | DATA COLLECTION | LEADERSHIP SKILLS | HIKING | INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL | FIELD SAFETY | MAPS AND NAVIGATION

Join us for two weeks of immersive field training and advanced biology that takes students deep into the cloud forest of the Ecuadorian Andes to explore wildlife biology. Local guides and Sternberg Museum staff will lead students on a survey of plants and animals high in the mountains. This region is home to hundreds of species of birds, insects, amphibians and reptiles, mammals, and new plants around every turn. College-level learning and hands-on experience with authentic field biology equipment, building confidence through a rigorous curriculum and supportive staff form the core of this incredible wilderness adventure.

Students will start with a two day classroom portion at the Fort Hays State University campus, and the Sternberg Museum of Natural History, working with Museum staff and Biology Department faculty. During this portion, students will be introduced to essential topics in evolution and ecology, cloud forest climate and structure, and guidelines for our wildlife surveys in the forest. Students will learn how to record crucially important field sketches and field notes, and use recording equipment to document the biodiversity of this incredible ecosystem. We train students to operate our motion-detecting camera traps, videography equipment, a super-telephoto digital photography setup, and smaller hand cameras, all of which they will use extensively while in Ecuador. We also go over trip logistics, components of Ecuadorian culture and eco-conservation efforts, and safety guidelines for our time traveling and in the cloud forest.

Once in Ecuador, students will work with staff and local guides on daily hikes into the forest, visiting sites known for world-class biodiversity! Our goal day each in the cloud forest is to cover as much ground as possible, documenting animal and plant life with field photos and descriptive field notes. Along the way, students will visit secluded waterfalls, bird sanctuaries, and research lodges deep in the Andes. At all of these sites, students are engaged in discussions addressing organisms, habitats, and teachable examples of evolution in action! Our goal is to build a strong foundational understanding of ecology, evolutionary biology, and biodiversity during this program, in addition to advanced field skills students can take with them on their future endeavors.

Upon our return to Hays, students and staff will use computing facilities on the FHSU campus to digitize field notes and organize our field data. This organization of field notes, photos, and videos is a crucial step in performing proper field science.

Expedition Ecuador camp is an intensive field biology program meant to immerse students in a supportive, fast-paced learning

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environment where conceptual content and lessons are brought into living focus all around them. Our goal is to make sure any student interested in pursuing a career in life science will leave this camp with relevant, practical skills and knowledge they can apply in their future coursework.

For additional information about Expedition Ecuador camp, please visit the Sternberg Museum’s website at http://sternberg.fhsu.edu/active-learning/camps/high-schoolscience-camps/ expedition-ecuador/.

All meals are provided during this program. Students who register and are accepted for the program will receive a comprehensive equipment list and additional logistical details. We pride ourselves on providing incredible educational experiences for our student participants in an environment where they are encouraged to learn, grow, and take on new challenges and responsibilities.

All students must have an official United States passport that is current with at least eight months remaining at the time of the trip before it expires. This is in addition to the standard requirements for registration to our high school camps programs.

Dates

JULY 29 - AUGUST 12 (15 days) Ages

AGES 14 - 18

Cost

$4,950 PER MEMBER $5,200 PER NON-MEMBER

Pricing includes cost of all airfare to and from Quito. Travel to Hays should be coordinated well in advance with the Museum Education Director David Levering (DALevering@fhsu.edu) once your student is fully registered.

Ensuring student safety and well being in the field is a primary concern for all program staff, all of whom have substantial field experience and first-aid training. In addition to maintaining a safe, secure environment, students are specifically trained and informed in how to properly conduct themselves and avoid unnecessary risk in the field. We will be at high altitude, away from areas where yellow fever and zika virus are known to occur.

Tuition includes all domestic and international airfare between Hays, Kansas and Quito, Ecuador. http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/ ecuador 1.785.639.5249 https://sternberg.fhsu.edu/

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Dates

SUMMER 2019 COMING SOON! Journey to Queensland, Australia for an adventure of a lifetime! Students will learn foundational concepts in sedimentary geology, skeletal anatomy, evolution,

Ages

AGES 14 - 18

and ecology against the backdrop of the incredible Australian Outback. Explore the natural history of Australia as we excavate fossilized giant fish and marine reptiles, and learn the history of the amazing wildlife that inhabits Australia today. This program will include groups of American and Australian high school students working and learning together in the classroom and in the field. During

Cost

MORE INFO COMING SOON

this trip, students will work with expert paleontologists and science educators in established field areas and dig sites, collecting material that will contribute to ongoing research on Australian natural history.

The FHSU Sternberg Museum is thrilled to offer this program in cooperation with Kronosaurus Korner Museum in Richmond, Queensland!

Dates

SUMMER 2019 COMING SOON!

Ages

Head out for a two week trek into Oregon and Washington as we explore the volcanic geology of the Pacific Northwest! Students will meet camp staff in Eugene, Oregon for an introductory classroom portion, providing a foundation of knowledge that we will build on during the ensuing field studies. Walk ancient lava fields, explore entire landscapes of obsidian, and learn about current volcano science with active researchers and professional educators. Join us as we explore igneous geoscience, and how it played a key role in shaping the landscape, fossil record, and modern ecosystems of the Pacific Northwest!

AGES 14 - 18

Cost

MORE INFO COMING SOON

The FHSU Sternberg Museum is thrilled to offer this program in cooperation with the University of Oregon Museum of Natural and Cultural History!

1.785.639.5249 https://sternberg.fhsu.edu/

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EVOLUTION | SEDIMENTARY GEOLOGY | CAMPING | FIELD SAFETY | DATA COLLECTION | LEADERSHIP SKILLS | FOSSIL EXCAVATION | FOSSIL PROSPECTING | MAPS AND NAVIGATION The Sternberg Paleontology Camp (SPC) is for students who seriously enjoy the great outdoors and paleontology!

Students will get to investigate the paleontology and ecology of ancient Kansas that once included forests of ferns, and a sea of sharks, flightless birds, and immense marine reptiles! Along the way, we will also visit a Miocene fossil site called Minium Quarry, famous for its prolific mammal and plant fossils. During fieldwork, students will learn how to find and collect fossil material as paleontologists do, using the same tools as professional researchers. Students will learn to take field notes, use GPS units, map and compass skills, and proper methods of fossil collection to preserve as much information as possible.

The SPC students will also spend four days working at the Sternberg Museum and at Fort Hays State University, in a laboratory portion of the camp. During this labs portion, students will be staying at the FHSU dorms under the supervision of Museum education staff. At the Sternberg Museum, SPC students will learn about fossil preparation and

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1.785.639.5249 https://sternberg.fhsu.edu/

museum fossil collections. Techniques and training in fossil prep will be hands on, working with collected fossils and professional tools. Students will also be introduced to critical concepts and techniques in modern paleontology through guided exercises and discussions. We will also visit the comparative anatomy lab at FHSU to explore the evolution of the vertebrate skeleton.

Overarching themes of the SPC will include critical thinking skills, use of the scientific method, understanding the process of biological evolution through natural selection, applied geology, ecology, and generating an informed argument through the use of evidence. The SPC camp is designed to be an immersive learning experience for students interested in biology, geology, or paleontology.

Our goal is to make sure any student planning to pursue a career in life or earth science will leave our camp with relevant, practical skills and knowledge in both scientific disciplines.

1.785.639.5249 https://sternberg.fhsu.edu/

Dates

JULY 8 - 20 (13 days) Ages

AGES 14 - 18

Cost

$1,420 PER MEMBER $1,580 PER NON-MEMBER

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Dates EVOLUTION | ECOLOGY | CAMPING CONSERVATION DATA COLLECTION | LEADERSHIP SKILLS FIELD SAFETY | MAPS AND NAVIGATION Interested in modern organisms and ecosystems? The Southwest Biology Camp (SBC) students will take a trip to New Mexico to work with biologists from the Sternberg Museum and University Nebraska: Kearney on ongoing bat research!

Using professional tools and techniques, we will investigate insect, fish, mammal, bird, reptile, and plant communities and populations. These investigations will include capturing and documenting a number of different species/organisms, and collecting GPS data on captures which will be incorporated into a Sternberg Museum biological specimen database. Students will have the opportunity to use Sherman traps to catch rodents, survey birds using a spotting scope, hunt for scorpions using UV lights, perform nocturnal animal surveys using spotlights, and net bats, among other unique field lessons and activities. In 2015, students documented ten different bat species during our netting surveys! In 2016 we spotted an elegant trogan, one of the rarest birds in North America. We are proud of this incredible collaborative program and the remarkable experiences it provides for our students.

JULY 14 - 20 (7 days) Ages

AGES 14 - 18

Cost

$630 PER MEMBER $700 PER NON-MEMBER

Overarching themes of the SBC will include critical thinking skills, use of the scientific method, understanding the process of biological evolution through natural selection, ecology, and generating an informed argument through the use of evidence. The SBC is designed to be an immersive learning experience for students interested in biology and ecology. Our goal is to make sure any student planning to pursue a career in life science will leave our camp with relevant, practical skills and knowledge they can apply in their future coursework.

Dates

WINTER BREAK 2019/2020 (9 days) COMING SOON! Experience a one-of-a-kind science learning opportunity by joining an all-women team of scientists and educators for nine days in the field of southwest Texas.

During the camp students will explore the 130 million year old fossil record of southwest Texas! Everything’s bigger in Texas, including the fossils! Find fossils of the mega-alligator Deinosuchus and touch the bones of the giant long necked dinosaur Alamosaurus. From fish and ammonites to dinosaurs to plants to mammals, this program immerses students in an incredible desert landscape brimming with fossils. Students will learn about topics in geology, biology, and paleontology crucial to understanding of Earth’s history. Foundational content in geology, biology, evolution, ecology, and skeletal anatomy is provided and built upon throughout the program. Staff will also provide a supportive, safe, positive learning environment. Staff will teach lessons that will inspire students to follow their paleontology interests beyond the camp as they continue to pursue their academic interests!

Ages

AGES 14 - 18

Cost

MORE INFO COMING SOON

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“These trips have helped me throughout school. Your time put into creating these opportunities I believe is the reason I have been able to take high school classes such as pre AP Biology this year as an elective. I certainly intend on continuing my extra-curricular assistance provided by an enjoyable week in the field. The Gatlin family all give special thanks to the directors and assistants for making this all possible.�

KATIE GATLIN

Student in Paleontology Expedition Camp 2015, 2017 and Field Naturalist Camp 2016 38

1.785.639.5249 https://sternberg.fhsu.edu/

“I loved the entire camp and learned much more about myself, my peers, and biology, and this has been extremely valuable in planning my future.�

Maggie Wolf, KS

2017 Intern Pictured Above

The Headwaters internship and development program is the next step in our efforts to promote growth and advancement for Sternberg Science Camps students. At the end of each summer, three high school science camps students will receive offers to participate in paid internships for the following school year. Each internship is competitive, and is comprised of a 4 month position in either field data management or science education. Each internship comes with a $700 stipend. The selected students will exhibit initiative, attention to detail in the field and the classroom, strong organizational skills (especially field notes), and positive, supportive attitude towards their fellow students during their time at camp. Selection is made based on comprehensive assessment by Camps staff.

Work for the internship is almost entirely digital, so we are not limited by where the students live, nor do students need to travel to Hays, KS for their internship.

This new program is still in very early stages, and will be developed more over time as our resources grow, and more opportunities for our students can be made available.

1.785.639.5249 https://sternberg.fhsu.edu/

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Over the past four years of Sternberg Science Camps, we’ve had many excellent middle and high school students join us from outside of Kansas.

From California to Maine, Oklahoma to Michigan, we are proud to have become a destination for top science students from across the country.

We’ve had a lot of questions from students and their parents about traveling to Hays for our camps programs. We’ve put together a list of common questions and answers here to help you plan your student’s travel. Of course, you are always welcome to directly contact our Education Director David Levering at DALevering@FHSU.edu, or 785-639-5249 with questions about the camp programs and travel for attendance. We have also added some information regarding travel for international programs.

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1.785.639.5249 https://sternberg.fhsu.edu/

Q: I am planning on having my student fly to Hays alone. Will this be a problem?

A: It is absolutely not a problem for the Museum staff to have students fly in alone. Keep in mind that students under 18 flying without a parent may be subject to an unaccompanied minor fee by the airline. Be sure to check with the airline you are using prior to your student’s departure, and plan accordingly.

Q: My student is interested in attending one of your residential camp programs. We would like to fly in the day before the camp starts. Which airport should we use?

A: The Sternberg Museum is in Hays, Kansas, which has a small airport with flights to and from Denver International Airport twice a day. This would be the easiest choice for getting yourself to Hays. Once here, there are cab services available to take you to a hotel. There are also two rental car agencies in Hays (Enterprise and Hertz), which are a good Q: Is it alright for me to drive down with my option if you are looking to do some additional exploring student, drop them off the morning camp starts, around Hays after you arrive. We have also had parents and then check out the Museum after the students fly in with their student to the Wichita airport, and use a and staff depart? rental car to drive in from Hays. Depending on where you are coming from, this may be a less expensive option to A: Yes, absolutely. There are plenty of hotels here in Hays consider. to choose from if you arrive the day before the camp program starts. You are also more than welcome to explore the Museum after dropping your student off. The instructor or Q: My student needs to arrive before the start TA can get you cleared by the front desk staff.

Q: My student needs to depart the camp early to make a flight. Will this be a problem?

A: No, this is not a problem. We can provide transport to the Hays airport for their flight, or make sure your student is at the Museum with their gear at the pre-arranged early pickup time. Early departures tend to be very case-by-case, depending on the travel requirements and the camp being participated in. Please communicate in advance with the Education Director regarding any early departure arrangements

that need to be made.

Q: Whoa! You are doing international programs now? My student would love to attend, but we don’t live in Kansas. Help!

A: For travel logistics questions regarding our new international expedition programs for high school students, please directly contact our Education Director at DALevering@ FHSU.edu. They will be able to make recommendations specific to your travel situation.

of camp to make the flights work. Will someone be able to pick them up at the Hays airport? Are there accommodations they can stay at overnight?

A: We are happy to arrange for pickup of students traveling solo to Hays for one of our camps programs. The student will be picked up by their camp instructor or TA, or another member of the Sternberg Museum full time staff. Students arriving early can use the Fort Hays State University dormitories prior to the start of their camp program. We do charge a $50 per-night fee for use of the dorms prior to the start of camp. They will be picked up early on the morning their camp program begins, and transported with their gear to the Sternberg Museum to meet the rest of the students and instructional staff for departure. Any students under the age of 18 are required to fill out and return an unaccompanied minor form from the FHSU dormitories in advance of their arrival. If you make arrangements with the Education Director for your student to arrive early, they will provide a copy of this form to you.

1.785.639.5249 https://sternberg.fhsu.edu/

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Learn about the camps financial aid program, and how to apply.

Tuesday - Saturday 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. Sunday 1 p.m. - 6 p.m.

Open Mondays from April through September For questions about the Sterberg Science Camps, contact the Education Director at dalevering@fhsu.edu, or by phone at 785639-5249.

REGISTER ONLINE AT https://webapps.fhsu.edu/sternbergPrograms/ http://sternberg.fhsu.edu/active-learning/camps sternberg.museum SternbergMuseum sternbergmuseum Sternberg Museum of Natural History 3000 Sternberg Drive Hays, KS 67601

Photos by David Levering, Brent Schulze, Marjie Cone, Maggie Wolf, and Marli Miller