Summer Academy

Have you ever wanted to solve a forensic mystery? Would you like to go on an archeological dig? In this week-long class, students will learn methods for analyzing evidence. They will learn how archeological and forensic techniques are utilized together while they excavate a burial site and then use deductive reasoning skills to justify their conclusions. By the end of the week they will use forensic investigative techniques to resurrect information about an ancient crime that will culminate with a facial reconstruction.

Let’s get outside! Come explore the Lake Forest Academy campus and surrounding area through an environmental lens. Each day will focus on a different unit, from aquatics and water quality testing, wildlife ecology and tracking (we’re talking scat identification, campers), forestry and tree identification, soil science, and mapping with GPS. Each half day session will give students time inside the classroom engaging in inquiry-based labs, and time outside of the classroom bringing these concepts to life.

Have you ever wanted to solve a forensic mystery? Would you like to go on an archeological dig? In this week-long class, students will learn methods for analyzing evidence. They will learn how archeological and forensic techniques are utilized together while they excavate a burial site and then use deductive reasoning skills to justify their conclusions. By the end of the week they will use forensic investigative techniques to resurrect information about an ancient crime that will culminate with a facial reconstruction.

Do you like to understand how our earth functions? Studying our earth from the inside out, each day in this course will focus on a specific Science Olympiad competition related to our planet. The course is open to all experience and ability levels. The first day will be "Dynamic Planet." Day Two will focus on "Rocks and Minerals" with a Geology lens. Day Three we will turn our focus to "Fossils" to learn about how our earth has evolved over time. Day Four we will turn to the skies to study the "Solar System." On the final day, we will turn our attention to "Meteorology." Come join us as we explore our amazing planet!

What does the future of medicine look like? In this week-long class, genetics will be explored using various methods including classical Mendelian genetics and some innovative applicative biotechnology. Students will begin to develop mathematical skills that aid in analysis of population genetics and will conduct population studies. DNA technology will be examined and students will begin to develop skills used by genetic engineers. DNA technology is the next great technology and this course will allow students to understand the future direction of this discipline of biology.

What does it mean to say we are “going green?” How big is your carbon footprint? What role does the economy play in environmental issues? What can one person do? Is global warming real and what can we do about it? These are only a few of the thousands of questions that come up every day when looking at the environment and the impact we have on it. In this week-long class, you will look at answering these questions and many more through discussion, debate, activities, and hands on labs. Learn how you can leave your mark on this environment and leave it in a better place!

What does the future of medicine look like? In this week-long class, genetics will be explored using various methods including classical Mendelian genetics and some innovative applicative biotechnology. Students will begin to develop mathematical skills that aid in analysis of population genetics and will conduct population studies. DNA technology will be examined and students will begin to develop skills used by genetic engineers. DNA technology is the next great technology and this course will allow students to understand the future direction of this discipline of biology.

Do you like solving riddles and thinking logically through evidence? Campers will be given opportunities to test their analytical powers while comparing evidence to samples. You will learn how to methodically secure, search and investigate a crime scene. Based on the story and the clues, you will learn how to justify any conclusions you draw from handwriting samples, blood splatter, hair, fiber, fingerprint and toxicology evidence. During this class several Science Olympiad concepts will be covered.

Do you like to design things? Build or engineer things using everyday items? Test and modify designs to perfect their purpose? In this week-long course, we will design, construct, and modify different building projects. It will be messy at times and some things won't work perfectly the first time (or the second time...). We will work to fix failed designs and improve working designs. In doing so we will collaborate with peers and think creatively and analytically. The projects we will work on are common build events in Science Olympiad competitions, such as mousetrap cars, miniature catapults, and marble runs.

Do you like solving riddles and thinking logically through evidence. Campers will be given opportunities to test their analytical powers while comparing evidence to samples. You will learn how to methodically secure, search and investigate a crime scene. Based on the story and the clues, you will learn how to justify any conclusions you draw from handwriting samples, blood splatter, hair, fiber, fingerprint and toxicology evidence. During this class several Science Olympiad concepts will be covered.