Students will have an opportunity to learn about science and math in actual university labs and classrooms during classes taught by college professors as part of Millersville University's annual Summer Science Training Program (SSTP).

The five-day session, offered by the College of Science and Technology, will take place from Monday, July 11, through Friday, July 15. During each session, students will be engaged in hands-on activities during three-hour workshops from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day in Millersville University's Science and Technology Complex.

SSTP provides students with learning opportunities that focus on intensive student-teacher interaction, advanced-level learning and research and problem-solving experiences. The program is open to academically talented students entering grade eight through grade 12 in the fall.

"It's meant to be for students who are excited about the idea of coming in (to the classroom)," said Ryan Wagner, co-director for SSTP. "Any student who has an inclination toward the sciences or an excitement about the sciences and a strong academic ability ... those are the ones who will have the best experiences."

Subjects that will be covered during the week include psychology, chemistry, biology, Earth sciences, math and chemistry. "There is a diversity of different workshops and practical experiences," said Wagner. "They get background information and context and then some instruction on using (the equipment) and there are activities and experiments. The content of the workshops ranges dramatically."

For example, in the math session, students will learn geometry and algebra, and they will take part in calculation exercises. "The students will still be engaged in an activity, but its classroom-based," Wagner noted.

One of the sessions will be a stream ecology workshop, where students will explore a stream first-hand. "Another workshop that week is a forensic workshop where the processor will present lab-based experiments with DNA, and (the students) will isolate DNA and analyze it. It is a molecular biology-based experience," explained Wagner. "I have a psychology professor talking about the teen brain. It (will be) about memory and hormones and how the brain functions and develops as a teenager."

He said that the diversity of subjects is what makes the program so popular "What I am most proud of is that it's multifaceted. They are not just coming in for a week of biology or chemistry," he said. "Our goal is to provide a resource for these kids in the community. There is an excitement and eagerness to learn."

A fee will be charged per student, which will cover supplies and instructional costs. Students are responsible for providing their own lunches.

For more information about the program, visit http://www.millersville.edu/sstp, call 717-871-4292 or email sstp@millersville.edu.