Young people enjoying a summer of science
TARPON SPRINGS - Youngsters at the city's Cops and Kids Youth Center and YMCA of the Suncoast Summer Camp intently listened and watched. Pam Himmel, a teacher with the Science Center of Pinellas County, was explaining the subtle differences in their fingerprints.
Using pencil, paper and transparent tape, Himmel then gave each camper a chance to take his or her own fingerprints and study their patterns.
Himmel, a science and math teacher, was actually giving youngsters a subtle lesson about marvels of science, as part of the St. Petersburg-based science center's CSI Summer Camp outreach program. The program, patterned after the popular "CSI" family of television series, gives youngsters a close-up look at forensic science and crime-solving techniques.
The campers learn that forensic science is much more detailed than what they see on television, Himmel said. They learn the importance of paying attention to details, procedures and processes in the things they do.
Since the young people are in camp, not school, they can relax and learn at their own pace without worrying about grades, Himmel said.
Through these outreach camps, the 51-year-old nonprofit center hopes to pique youngsters' interest in science and technology. Other outreach classes provide programs in robotics and rocketry, said Cyndy Leard, the center's director of education.
So far this summer, the science center is presenting programs at three North Pinellas camps: at the Cops and Kids Youth Center; Boys and Girls Club of Tarpon Springs; and Tarpon Springs Middle School.
The Science Center of Pinellas County, Leard said, would like to offer its programs at more locations in northern and central Pinellas, since it is difficult for youngsters and their parents from these areas to make the trip to the center, which is on 22nd Avenue North.
The camps are designed to be fun, with a hands-on approach that instills an interest in science, math, physics, engineering and technology. Youngsters become so interested in the subject they don't realize they are learning about how science plays a part in their everyday lives.
The center partners with groups, businesses such as Bright House and schools, along with nonprofit organizations such as Coordinated Child Care of Pinellas and the Juvenile Welfare Board to bring its programs to communities throughout the county, Pam Bittaker, the science center's project manager, said.
The outreach program has proven popular. Class size is limited to about 15 youngsters so it is manageable. Bittaker said they hope to bring more outreach classes to youngsters all over the county into the fall.
