Camp Astra 2021: Science Summer Camp

Astra Biosciences ran a summer camp for 3rd-6th graders in 2021, with the aim of inspiring the next generation of scientists and engaging young minds. The kids had a lot of fun, and there were a lot of hands on activities and presentations on topics ranging from genetics to cellular biology to anatomy. For a week, the conference room was taken over by kids, and the halls were filled with the excited clamoring of kids crowding around a microscope or poking at a fish cadaver.

Running educational summer camps for all ages embodies one of Astra's primary missions: to expand access to interesting scientific education.

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Our young scientists learning about cell division, and the stages of mitosis. You can clearly see the different stages of cell division in the roots of the shallots. Our campers also made models of chromosomes using pipe cleaners. One camper even made a notebook from papers, with all of the diagrams she drew!

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Our campers extracted the DNA by themselves from strawberries, learning about the structure and purpose of genetic material.

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It's always exciting to see kids excited by science, and we hope that by combining a solid foundation in scientific understanding with genuinely interesting hands-on activities, that we can cultivate a greater passion and drive for knowledge for years to come.

Campers mentioned to me months afterwards that they wanted to become scientists one day in the future. If that's not a success, I don't know what is.