The Institute for the Development and Enrichment of Advanced Learners (IDEAL) at Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas, held “Science: It’s a Girl Thing (SIGT)” summer camp June 9–11, 2015, in Lubbock, Texas. The goal of this residential summer camp is to introduce the under-represented girl students into collegiate experience by providing strong role models in science.
There were 20 5th–6th grade girls who participated in the toxicology program. As a Society of Toxicology (SOT) Lone Star Regional Chapter K-12 outreach volunteer, Logeswari Ponnusamy (The Institute of Environmental and Human Health (TIEHH), Texas Tech University) served as an Instructor along with TIEHH- LE-SETAC (Llano Estacado Student Chapter of the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry) Outreach Committee volunteers.
DNA Extraction Activity
Dose-Response Curve Hands-On Learning
The three-day summer camp consisted of an interactive introduction to toxicology as a science along with presentations and experiments on various toxicological hands-on training activities and games. Dr. Ponnusamy provided instruction in the molecular toxicology section (including a DNA extraction activity) and analysis on toxicity testing using Daphnia spp. and Hyallela spp. with pine salt and salt as a “Dose –Response Curve” demonstration.
The main focus of the summer camp was to introduce the different sections of toxicology (such as analytical, environmental, marine, and molecular toxicology along with activities for each section) and wind up with toxicology jeopardy. The camp was an awesome success.