Inaugural Neuroscience Pre-College Summer Camp inspires next-gen scientists

When 16 high school students stepped onto University of Delaware's campus this past summer for the inaugural Neuroscience Pre-College Summer Camp, they had no idea just how deeply they would plunge into the mysteries of the human brain. Over the course of a single intensive week, these bright young minds transformed from curious teenagers into hands-on researchers, trading their standard summer break for high-tech diagnostic equipment and cutting-edge scientific discovery.

The camp filled to maximum capacity within the first month of registration, proving a strong demand for early STEM pathways. The program was a collaborative partnership between the Interdisciplinary Neuroscience Graduate program (ING) and Professional & Continuing Studies (PCS) and gave high schoolers, aged 15 and up, an unparalleled, collegiate-level introduction to the field.

Rather than sitting through passive lectures, campers spent their week engaging in advanced, high-level neuroscience research. Utilizing UD core facilities, the students actively mastered experimental science. Highlights of their hands-on curriculum included:

• Anatomy labs: Conducting sheep and human brain dissections.

• Diagnostic tools: Learning to operate advanced neuromodulation and sensing technologies, including transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS), transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and wearables.

• Sensory & physiology: Testing color vision and mastering the basics of electrophysiology.

• Custom studies: Designing and executing their very own electroencephalography (EEG) and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies.

The week concluded with a capstone presentation showcase. Campers proudly presented their custom research findings to a packed audience of family members, faculty and university leadership. The event featured special visits and remarks from vice provost and dean for the Graduate College, Kami Silk, and interim dean for the College of Health Sciences, Jillian Trabulsi, who celebrated the cohort's achievements.

The camp’s resounding success was driven in large part by the generous mentorship of the UD community. In total, an interdisciplinary team of nine faculty members, four staff members and 15 student volunteers pooled their expertise to support the campers. 

The success of this inaugural session set such a thrilling precedent that the program will now be offered during two separate sessions for summer 2027. Registration opens December 1. To learn more and register, visit www.pcs.udel.edu/neuroscience.