UDC program brought out the inner scientists in teens

Over here at One City Youth, we're jealous of the young folks who participated in UDC's 2014 Summer Bridge Program in Environmental and Sustainability Sciences program. Why? Well, let's start with the fact the youth participants got to work outside in water, dirt and with plants. Field work was performed in Rock Creek Park, the UDC Van Ness Campus and the Muirkirk Agricultural Research Farm in Beltsville, MD.

Next, the youth had the opportunity to learn how to use very cool equipment. Finally, they got to learn all kinds of useful science stuff. And by stuff we mean environmental computing, cloud computing, sustainability, water quality, climate change, engineering design and mobile technologies.

2014 Summer Bridge STEM Course Concludes walks readers through the highlights of the program. Perhaps the most interesting part of the summer was the work the young people did on their capstone projects.

The projects were:

1. Nathnael Eshetu and Heran Tatek: Solar Power for Food, Energy and Water (evaluating the potential benefit of photovoltaic power at Muirkirk Farm
2. Lataija Gilmore, Kevon Johnson and Semale Stafford: Orthophosphate Analysis in soil
3. Niles Townsend and Joel Crooms-Porter: Aquaponics System: Nutrient Cycle (water difference in aquaponic tanks)
4. Courtney George, Amen Hailu and Sofia Cisneros: Potomac River vs. Rock Creek River Quality

The post is an interesting read and you'll learn about all the cool things College of Agriculture, Urban Sustainability and Environmental Sciences does with students, faculty and the community for the benefit of us all.

More pictures from the program, on Facebook.

UDC's got science, technology and 4-H this summer!

The University of the District of Columbia is home to two summer camps:

• Summer Bridge Program in Science and Technology (June 30 - July 25):These days, it is practically impossible to secure a reliable job without a college degree. Help students gain the edge in STEM education. This July, CAUSES is again offering a Summer Bridge course in Environmental and Sustainability Sciences and Technologies, sponsored by the National Science Foundation. This course is designed to provide high school and incoming college students with the essential skills necessary to succeed in college studies and beyond.

  Students will participate in water quality analysis, field studies, field trips and a capstone project. Through this hands-on, interactive course, students will gain a fundamental knowledge of environmental computing, sustainability, water quality, climate change, data analysis, advanced computing and mobile technologies for learning using the latest technology (iPads, computer, hydroponic system and soil, water and air quality monitoring sensors).

  The program will be offered on UDC's Van Ness campus. Applications are due by June 20. Contact Dr. Tolessa Deksissa via email, tdeksissa@udc.edu for more information.

• 4-H Summer Camp (July 14 - August 1): It's almost that time of the year! School is ending and DC's children will need some way to spend the summer. Thankfully, the Center for 4-H and Youth Development will be offering 4-H Summer Camp. Geared for DC residents between the ages of 9 and 14, the camp is being offered for only $25 per week!

  Students will participate in a variety of activities from photography to golfing, but will still receive lessons in healthy living and STEM. The camp will also include field trips to the Kennedy Center, local museums, Muirkirk Farm and more!

  The camp will be open from 8:00 am - 5:00 pm, Mondays through Friday and will be offered July 14 - August 1 at the Riverside Center in Northeast, DC. Interested? Register here or contact Jaime Brown via email, jsbrown@udc.edu before May 31.

Remember, One City Youth has a list of camps.