Experiment and Explore
Sunday, July 12 – Saturday, July 18
For rising 9th – 12th grade girls
Spend a week of your summer at Hollins University in our renovated Dana Science Building. Experiment and Explore is for all budding scientists! You’ll have experience in biology, chemistry, and environmental science along with being able to delve deeper into scientific topics that you are passionate about including forensic science, ecology, and health science.
Costs & Payment
Residential Rate: $1,150
Day Rate (9 a.m. – 5 p.m.): $550
$200 deposit to enroll
Balance due in full by June 1
Instructors
Kaila Thorn
Visiting Assistant Professor of Environmental Studies, Hollins University
- Has a B.A. in environmental studies and international studies from Hollins, and an M.S. and Ph.D. in agricultural and extension education from The Pennsylvania State University
- In the past has conducted work with USDA NE Climate Hub, UNESCO Youth as Researchers in a number of cross-cultural activities, and Extension Education using experiential activities to promote positive youth development.
- Current work is centered around young adult development, program development and evaluation, and youth environmental leadership. Most recently has been exploring different experiences of young adults and how that impacts their connectedness to nature.
Brian Reeves
Visiting Assistant Professor of Chemistry, Hollins University
- Has a B.S. in chemistry from James Madison University and a Ph.D. in materials chemistry from Colorado State University.
- Interested in designing and synthesizing new materials for flexible and transparent electronics applications.
- Current work at Hollins is focused on synthesizing new hybrid nanosheets for use in flexible solar cells. The project aims to improve upon a component of organic solar cells called the electron transport layer, by combining components from organic and inorganic solar cells. The overall goal is to improve the efficiency and lower the cost of flexible solar cells.
Questions?
hollinsummer@hollins.edu
800-456-9595
Sample Daily Schedule
Breakfast
8 – 9 a.m.
Introduction to Fundamental Chemistry / Organic Chemistry / Biochemistry
9 – 10 a.m.
Chemistry Experiment Lab
10 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Lunch and Break
12:30 – 1:30 p.m.
Introduction to Biology
1:30 – 2:30 p.m.
Break
2:30 – 2:45 p.m.
Biology Experiment
2:45 – 5:15 p.m.
Dinner
5:15 – 6:30 p.m.
Evening Activities: Crafts, Movies, Swimming, and More
7 – 10 p.m.
2025 Daily Schedule
| Time | Details |
|---|---|
| Sunday | |
| 3:00 – 4:00 p.m. | Camper check-in (Randolph Hall) |
| 3:30 – 4:00 p.m. | Day camper check-in (optional) |
| 4:00 – 5:30 p.m. | Introduction activities and campus tour |
| 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. | Dinner (Moody Student Center) |
| 6:30 p.m. | Evening activities and hall meeting (Moody Dining Hall) |
| Monday | |
| 8:00 – 9:00 a.m. | Breakfast (Moody Dining Hall) |
| 8:50 – 9:00 a.m. | Day camper drop-off (Moody Student Center) |
| 9:00 – 10:00 a.m. | Introductions, Ice Breaker, and Camp Overview (Dana) |
| 10:00 a.m. – 12 noon | Exploring campus library (Library) |
| 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. | Lunch (Moody Dining Hall) |
| 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. | Lecture: General Chemistry (Dana) |
| 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. | Lecture and Exploration: Chemistry in the World & Career Speaker (Dana) |
| 4:00 – 5:00 p.m. | Introduction to Materials Science and Literature Searching (Dana) |
| 5:00 p.m. | Day camper pick up (Moody Student Center) |
| 5:00 – 6:00 p.m. | Dinner (Moody Dining Hall) |
| 6:30 p.m. | Bingo (Moody Dining Hall) |
| Tuesday | |
| 8:00 – 9:00 a.m. | Breakfast (Moody Dining Hall) |
| 8:50 – 9:00 a.m. | Day camper drop-off (Moody Student Center) |
| 9:00 – 12:00 p.m. | Lecture and Experiment: Organic Chemistry (Dana) |
| 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. | Lunch (Moody Dining Hall) |
| 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. | Lecture: Organic Chemistry and Career Speaker (Dana) |
| 2:00 – 2:15 p.m. | Break |
| 2:15 – 5:00 p.m. | Lecture and Experiment: Polymer Chemistry (Dana) |
| 5:00 p.m. | Day camper pick up (Moody Student Center) |
| 5:00 – 6:00 p.m. | Dinner (Moody Dining Hall) |
| 6:30 p.m. | Bridge building competition (Ballator) |
| Wednesday | |
| 8:00 – 9:00 a.m. | Breakfast (Moody Dining Hall) |
| 8:50 – 9:00 a.m. | Day camper drop-off (Moody Student Center) |
| 9:00 – 12 noon | Topic selection and exploration: Green Materials, Renewable Energy, Green Policy |
| 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. | Lunch (Moody Dining Hall) |
| 1:00 – 5:00 p.m. | Lecture: Research Methods, Survey Design, and Career Speaker (Dana) |
| 5:00 – 6:00 p.m. | Dinner (Moody Dining Hall) |
| 6:30 p.m. | Embroidery and canvas painting (Ballator) |
| Thursday | |
| 8:00 – 9:00 a.m. | Breakfast (Moody Dining Hall) |
| 8:50 – 9:00 a.m. | Day camper drop-off (Moody Student Center) |
| 9:00 – 12:00 noon | Lecture and Experiment: Biopolymers (Dana) |
| 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. | Lunch (Moody Dining Hall) |
| 1:00 – 5:00 p.m. | Data Collection Downtown & Chemistry in the World – Train Edition (Dana) |
| 5:00 – 6:00 p.m. | Dinner (Moody Dining Hall) |
| 6:30 p.m. | Karaoke (Rat) |
| Friday | |
| 8:00 – 9:00 a.m. | Breakfast (Moody Dining Hall) |
| 8:50 – 9:00 a.m. | Day camper drop-off (Moody Student Center) |
| 9:00 – 12:00 p.m. | Review, Biopolymer Analysis, Organize and Share Results (Dana) |
| 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. | Lunch (Moody Dining Hall) |
| 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. | Survey Data Analysis, Factsheet Development, Share Projects (Dana) |
| 4:00 – 5:00 p.m. | Feedback, Survey, & Final Activities (Dana) |
| 5:00 – 6:00 p.m. | Dinner (Moody Dining Hall) |
| 6:30 p.m. | Movie night (Babcock Auditorium) |
| Saturday | |
| 8:00 – 9:00 a.m. | Breakfast (Moody Dining Hall) |
| 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon | Camper check-out (Randolph Hall, Lobby) |