About the Program

The Aspen Science Center is dedicated to providing world-class instructors to illuminate motivated students with cutting-edge physics, biology, and diagnostic sciences during the summers. Our goal has been to provide a rich array of week-long explorations that are attractive (and valuable) to bright middle/high school students, providing them with college-level science instruction, resources and techniques.

WaterKeepers Field Camp!

This is CSI for Water bodies. Learn how to identify, isolate, and trace pollutants
in your local rivers and ditches though a series of indicators: Macroinvertebrates Chemistry (PH, DO) In-stream investigation (flow, temp turbidity), bacteria, and optical brighteners.
Student teams will summarize, analyze, interpret and present their conclusions to the County Commissioners during active session.

The Physics of SuperHeroes!

Just how DOES Superman leap a tall building in a single bound? This is where to find out! The Physics of Superheroes explores everything from energy, to thermodynamics, to quantum mechanics, to solid-state physics, and relates the physics in comic books to such real-world applications as automobile airbags, microwave ovens, and transistors. Fun, provocative, and packed with more superheroes than an Avengers-Justice League crossover!

Advanced DNA Masters!

• Extract DNA from bacteria.
• Build molecular models.
• Microscopically examine bacteria, viruses,

Clones!

• A comprehensive crash course in recombinant DNA science and genetic engineering.
• Learn recombinant-DNA techniques used to manufacture human insulin and other biotech products.
• Learn about enzymes and their role in recombinant DNA.
• Use restriction enzymes to cut and splice DNA.
• Clone a jellyfish gene into bacteria.
• Clone zebrafish.

Solve a Crime!

Students will use DNA fingerprinting to identify suspects at a mock crime scene.

• Examine blood DNA to trace the culprit with 1:1,000,000 accuracy.
• Create a personal DNA fingerprint.