BOISE, ID – Two Idaho high school students have been selected to attend the National Youth Science Camp (NYSCamp), an annual residential STEAM program held in the Monongahela National Forest in West Virginia.
Jeemin Kim and Bryan Li, both juniors at Timberline High School in Boise, will represent Idaho at the camp from July 10 to August 2. They will join other students from across the country to engage in hands-on learning and collaboration with professionals in science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics (STEAM). The program is fully funded and aims to prepare students for future careers in STEAM fields.
Andrea Baerwald, Science Coordinator for the Idaho Department of Education, emphasized the benefits of the camp. “Not only does NYSCamp give students a chance to interface with other high-performing peers from across the country, it also lets them get their feet wet with real-world STEAM applications under the guidance of people who know the industry well,” Baerwald said.
Each year, two students from each state and Washington D.C. are selected for NYSCamp based on academic performance, achievements in STEAM, and their intent to pursue higher education and careers in related fields.
Kim expressed her enthusiasm for the opportunity. “Science has opened my eyes to the many creative solutions being implemented to improve our world, from advancing medicine to protecting the environment,” she said. “I am beyond thrilled to attend NYSCamp, where I can collaborate with new friends and mentors, challenge myself, and contribute my own ideas.”
Li looks forward to the chance to deepen his understanding of STEAM topics while connecting with peers. “For me, science is so valuable because it allows us to prove theories using concrete methods,” he said. “I’m hoping that I’ll make lots of friends at NYSCamp and that it’ll be an inspiring experience for me that’ll help me in the future.”
Since 1963, the National Youth Science Camp has provided students with opportunities to engage in interactive learning experiences with industry professionals. In addition to their time in West Virginia, participants will visit Washington D.C. to meet with congressional members, tour museums, and attend a panel discussion at the American Association for the Advancement of Science.
