Use the Advanced Search for more information about upcoming Youth Science Programs, or see the list of upcoming programs at the bottom of this page.
Junior Curators
Grades 8-12
Junior Curators are volunteers with an intense interest in natural science and animal care. Volunteer responsibilities include live animal care, in-house and community natural history education, Museum special events and the Fossil Lab. Junior Curators enjoy bimonthly natural history seminars about such varied topics as fire ecology, neotropical migratory birds and invasive species. They enjoy monthly field experiences to natural areas around the state and participate in natural science service projects. They interact regularly with Museum staff and other natural history professionals from local universities, state agencies and Research Triangle Park. Students work together with like-minded peers.
For the 2010–2011 school year, applications will be available in April 2010. Students may stay in the program for up to five years.
For more information, contact Adrian Yirka, curator of youth programs, at 919.733.7450 x520.
Girls in Science Neuse River Project
Grade 6
This is an intensive ten-week program that offers sixth-grade girls experience in the natural sciences through field trips, classroom programs and individual interactions with Museum staff and other female scientists. In addition, the students participate in water quality research and meet live native North Carolina animals. At the end of the program, students present their experiences to parents, principals and teachers during an open house at Prairie Ridge Ecostation.
The GIS Neuse River Project is only offered in the spring and is open to 18 sixth-grade girls from Wake or surrounding counties. Students must be nominated and sponsored by their sixth-grade science teachers.
Neuse River Project Application (PDF)
Applications must be received no later than 5:00 pm TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2010.
For more information, contact M.T. Fore, coordinator of student outreach and distance learning, at 919.733.7450, ext. 621.
Girls in Science Summer Outdoor Ed-venture
Rising seventh-grade girls
July 19–24, 2010
Cost: $325
Canoeing on local rivers and lakes, an overnight camping adventure and nocturnal nature explorations will highlight the Girls In Science summer camp, which will be based at Blue Jay Point County Park in Raleigh, NC. Field trips to local research and science centers, such as the NCSU School of Veterinary Medicine, the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences's Research Laboratory and Prairie Ridge Ecostation for Wildlife and Learning, will introduce the girls to career opportunities in science. In addition, as they explore North Carolina's waterways and the rich wildlife those waterways support, campers will design a natural science activity, which they will present in their schools during the fall semester.
Located on Falls Lake in Wake County, Blue Jay Point County Park features butterfly gardens, backyard wildlife habitats, hiking trails and a modern residential facility with a full kitchen and an indoor classroom. Meals will be catered or prepared by Museum staff and the girls.
Summer Outdoor Ed-ventures Applications (PDF)
Applications must be received no later than 5:00 pm FRIDAY, APRIL 23, 2010.
For more information, contact M.T. Fore, coordinator of student outreach and distance learning, at 919.733.7450 x621.
Girls in Science programs are sponsored by MeadWestvaco, a global packaging company whose Center for Packaging Innovation is located in Raleigh, NC. Through its foundation, MeadWestvaco seeks to enhance the quality of life in communities where its employees and their families live and work. Education and environmental stewardship are among MeadWestvaco's funding priorities.
