Summer Science Splash is a week-long residential summer camp hosted by Eckerd College for students entering 7th, 8th, or 9th grade in Fall 2023.
- Spend your days in the college’s new $25 million, state-of-the-art James Center for Molecular and Life Sciences performing a variety of science experiments with the latest hi-tech equipment used by both college students and research scientists!
- Work closely with Eckerd College science faculty, certified science teachers, and Eckerd College students majoring in the sciences!
- Spend your evenings participating in games, watching movies, contributing to team activities and more. Between daily experiments and evening events, work with your team to gain points for prizes!
You do not need to have an advanced understanding of science to attend, but you are expected to be excited and motivated to learn.
Funding and support
Scholarship support made possible by the Academy of Senior Professionals at Eckerd College and Suncoast Credit Union.
Academy of Senior Professionals
Session I: July 9-14, 2023
Session II: July 16-21, 2023
$766 per student
Cost includes: participation in all science labs and activities, use of college recreational facilities, meals, lodging, snacks and camp t-shirt.
Scholarships
Limited funds are available to provide partial, need-based scholarship assistance. Online applications are available as part of the registration form. Unless otherwise specified, registrations submitted with a scholarship request require a refundable $100 deposit to reserve space. Applications will be reviewed and notified on a monthly basis.
Junior Teaching Assistants
Junior Teaching Assistant positions have been created for students who have previously attended Summer Science Splash camp but are no longer age eligible. Learn More & Apply.
Questions?
The Program
Catch the Wave: Light & Optics
Waves are all around us, and we experience them in different ways: ocean waves knocking us over, sound waves delivering our favorite songs, and light waves showing us the world around us. Students will explore how waves move and what they can do as well as the many ways we can use them to investigate the world around us from atoms to galaxies. Students will explore light as a wave (and a particle) by working with lasers, lenses, and fiber optics. They will build their own spectroscope as well as use and interpret data from research grade instruments.
Lab activities include:
- Exploring Cosmic Bar Codes: Light from molecules and stars
- Kool-Aid Spectroscopy: What does light tell you about Kool-Aid?
- Building a Rainbow: Separating and mixing colors of light
Please Note: To take full advantage of the opportunities of the Summer Science Splash Camp, students are expected to remain on campus for the full session. Eckerd College does not allow family or friends to make visits to campus or take students off campus during the program.
Room & Board
Participants will live on the Eckerd College campus in St. Petersburg on Florida’s Gulf Coast.
Facilities
Our 188-acre waterfront campus provides a magnificent atmosphere and safe environment. Eckerd College is located in St. Petersburg, just off I-275 exit 17.
Directions & MapCounselors
At the conclusion of daily labs, campers are supervised in the late afternoon, evenings and overnight by well-trained Eckerd College students who are eager to share their enthusiasm for science and teamwork.
Housing
Students will live in air-conditioned Eckerd College student residence halls reserved exclusively for Summer Science Splash participants. Counselors will be present in each residence hall.
Meals
Campers will eat in the main cafeteria located just steps from the residence halls. Nutritious, youth-friendly food is served on a daily basis in the summer. We can accommodate allergies, gluten free, vegetarian and a variety of other special diets.
Registration
Please be sure to complete the following items to register your student. Registration must be completed in this order:
- Registration Form/Payment
- Medical Information Form
- Parental Release and Waiver
Your registration will not be complete until we are in receipt of the mandatory items.
Cancellation/ Refund Policy
| Withdrawal Date | Refund |
|---|---|
| 60 days before start date | 100% |
| 30 days before start date | 50% |
| 20 days before start date | 20% |
| <20 days before start date | 0% |
The processing fee of $25 is non-refundable for those who withdraw from the program. If students are not accepted into the program, they will receive a full refund.
No refund will be issued for the following:
- If a participant fails to show up for the program.
- If a participant is dismissed from the program by the College.
Participants who cancel their registration and are eligible for a refund should contact summerconferences@eckerd.edu or 727.864-8312.
