STAFF
The Faculty
At the Plank Institute Summer Science Camp, we place the practice of inquiry and discovery at the heart of the educational enterprise. In order to facilitate this exciting learning environment, the classes and laboratory projects are organized and led by university professors all having PhD's in their respective scientific fields. These scientists recognize the importance of involving students in learning through their engagement in creative research. The faculty members also recognize the need to get middle school students interested in scientific research at the critical time in which they are establishing their personal views about science. We believe the best way to accomplish this is by working closely with these students to provide the opportunity for them to see first hand how exciting scientific inquiry can be.

Donna Nofziger Plank, PhD

Mentors
Campers will be organized into small investigative research teams and each group will be assigned its own undergraduate scientific mentor--counselor. These mentors will be college students who are involved in undergraduate scientific research and are excited about sharing their experiences with younger students. They will not only work side by side with the campers on their research projects but will also live in the dorms and share meals with the campers. Mentors will also organize and lead nightly discussion with the campers about their experiences and their projects. These small group discussions will be highly interactive and will be a fun way of ensuring that students understand and remain engaged in their projects. Undergraduate mentors are chosen for their enthusiasm in working with middle school students and their ability to excite them about science. All mentors are required to participate in strict training sessions to define the mentor roles and responsibilities.