The Explorations in Neuroscience Summer Camp is designed for high school juniors and seniors with an interest in learning more about the brain and spinal cord in health and disease. Participants will have the opportunity to interact with faculty and students carrying out neuroscience related research. In addition, they will meet with clinicians from various clinical departments such as Neurology and Neurosurgery. Throughout the course, participants will meet with graduate students in the Neuroscience Graduate Program who will lead discussions and talk about their exciting research. 

On the final day of camp, we will provide a session that focuses on the Neuroscience Undergraduate Major, where we will discuss career pathways in Neuroscience, including those leading to graduate school, medical fields including dentistry, nursing and allied health and other career options. Discussions will include suggestions on how to be successful as students go through their undergraduate programs. 

Department of Neuroscience at the Biomedical Research Tower

Save the Date for 2019: June 3-7
Currently accepting applications until May 16, 2019

Download an application

Eligibility

Rising 11th and 12th graders with an interest in the nervous system and a potential career in the biomedical sciences (e.g., research, medicine, dentistry, etc.) are encouraged to attend. Students must obtain concurrence from a counselor or science teacher that they are in good academic standing at their school. 

Cost

Cost of $735 includes supplies, meals, snacks, t-shirt and other accessories. Do NOT send any payments with the application. Payment is due upon acceptance into the program and is non-refundable. 

Travel

Students should provide their own transportation to and from the Ohio State campus. For those students who plan to drive to campus, parking is available in nearby garages for a fee through CampusParc. 

Format

Students will learn through a variety of approaches, including: 

• Hands-on lab sessions where students will learn the anatomy of the brain and spinal cord
• Presentations by clinicians on new techniques in treating nervous system disorders, such as spinal cord injury, Parkinson's Disease and others
• Presentations on research being carried out by faculty members in the Department of Neuroscience
• Games designed to show how the brain adapts to a changing environment or how we perceive and attend to the world around us
• Discussions/debate about current topics in Neuroscience (e.g., use of marijuana, use of animals in research)
• Demonstration of neuroscience methodology (e.g., behavioral paradigms, physiological recordings, microscopy)
• Small group rotations through research labs where faculty and students will demonstrate and discuss their research programs
• Discussions with graduate students in Neuroscience Graduate Program and advisors from the Neuroscience Undergraduate Major

Application Instructions

Interested students should complete and email the pdf application to ExplorationsInNeuroscience@osumc.edu. The application must be received by May 17, 2018. Do not send payment. In addition, we require the signature of a teacher or counselor confirming the student is in good academic standing. Applicants must also write a brief paragraph (250 words) stating why they want to come to this camp.