| Session | Dates (2024) | Theme A | Theme B |
| I | June 24 - June 28 | The Chemistry of Food (8-12Y) | Forensics Science (12-17Y) |
| II | July 8 - July 12 | The Coming Climate (12-17Y) | Design, Build, Fly (12-17Y) |
| III | July 15 - July 19 | Prehistory/Paleontology (8-12Y) | Cosmetic Chemistry (14-17Y) |
The Chemistry of Food
Age 8-12 years old
Food is essential to life. Living organisms need food to grow and to sustain life. But, are food chemicals? Aren't chemicals bad for you? And, what does chemistry and chemists have to do with food? These questions and many more will be explored during our session on the Chemistry of Food.
A worldview of food will explore scientific, historical, cultural, mathematical, agricultural and environmental aspects of what we – and others – eat. The exploration continues with engaging hands on chemistry experiments. Students will practice laboratory safety while measuring, characterizing, analyzing, synthesizing, and more in state of the art chemistry laboratories at UC-Irvine.
Lastly, no Chemistry of Food sessions is complete without the making of ice cream using liquid nitrogen. Under strict supervision from instructors and lab supervisors, students will safely experiment with dry ice and cryogenic liquid nitrogen. The fun filled week will open students to the possible application of chemistry in fields such as healthcare, nutrition, research and development, agriculture, food manufacturing, and more.
Forensics Science
Solving Crimes and Mysteries
Age: 12-17 years old
Do you like to put puzzles together? Or maybe solve mysteries? To solve the puzzle -- or a mystery -- you have to see how one piece relates to others. To be successful you have to see how all the pieces fit together. That is the essence of forensic science, a term that has a specific meaning that you will come to understand.
Forensic science helps investigators solve problems and mysteries. Very often it is applied to cases that involve a crime, so sometimes it is referred to as “crime science.” You will be introduced to four methods used to solve crimes and other mysteries: DNA analysis, ballistics and fingerprinting and handwriting analysis.
DNA analysis is a relatively new method and is very precise. We will extract DNA from an organism, and you will see a miraculous result of this biochemical task. We will also review several cases in which DNA analysis was used to solve a mystery.
The second workshop, ballistics, is the science of projectiles. You will learn how to identify several projectiles and learn how their analysis helps solve crimes. Student forensic technicians will investigate the chemical composition and evolution of gunpowder, from black powder to modern smokeless powder.
Fingerprinting has solved a huge number of mysteries. It is a very important and accurate forensic identification tool. Take a look at four chemical fingerprinting techniques – some traditional (older), some modern/advanced -- that “lift” fingerprints off materials that are otherwise difficult to see otherwise.
Handwriting is also useful, and you will analyze yours and others as practice for a case.
Each of these workshops will conclude with a mini-case for you to solve. After the workshops on these methods have been completed, we will apply them to investigate and hopefully solve a major mystery.
There may even be another “surprise” activity to culminate your forensic experience.
The Coming Climate
Towards a Stable and Sustainable Future
Age: 12-17 years old
Global climate change is perhaps the most defining moment in the history of civilization. Now described as a climate emergency, it is largely a problem of atmospheric chemistry – mainly greenhouse gasses. The most prevalent is carbon dioxide, although methane, oxides of nitrogen and even water vapor play their part in heating the atmosphere.
Young people more than any other group have the greatest stake in the problem. As members of the prestigious UCI Student Climate Science Academy, you will learn about Earth’s changing climate history through a variety of lab-type activities and catch up on the latest developments in current climate science to name a few. Prior to your arrival at the program, each student will conduct a “green fitness” home audit that will be combined with data from other members to help begin to assess the impact your group has on climate change.
Students will construct a concept map and a timeline of important events and developments relating to climate change both historic and current. Lab activities relating to climate change evidence range from tree ring data to sea floor sediments to historic works of art. There will be demonstrations about the effects of climate change from “heated balloons” to sea level rise, to the albedo effect. Students will also log data that will be part of an ongoing local record of changes that may be “visible” over time.
Design - Build - Fly
Design Concepts to Reality
Age: 12-17 years old
Aerodynamics is largely a function of physical science. in this session, you will survey the nature and history of flight including plants, animals, kites, balloons, helicopters, drones and human (lighter-than-air vehicles gliders; recent hypersonic/space planes; vertical take off/landing vehicles and old and new chemically-related energy/power sources).
Design will involve rapid sketching techniques and three-view drawing. You will use a variety of materials as you build models of various flying objects and test them as you learn the ins and outs, ups and downs of flight theory.
Using low-cost building materials and quick-build methods and simple power sources, students will create a variety of experimental flying model prototypes.
The course advances to an instructor-guided team project in which students will develop, demonstrate and present their choice of a mission-specific aircraft.
Cosmetic Chemistry
Make-up and Beyond
Age 14-17 years old
The term cosmetic industry describes the development, manufacturing, marketing, and sale of products such as: hair care products, skin care products, make-up, and even perfume. It is a multi billion dollar industry that has operations world wide. The Cosmetic Chemistry course aims to introduce students to the cosmetic industry from a chemistry perspective. Students will learn about laboratory safety and product safety while synthesizing a variety of different cosmetic products from raw materials in the laboratory. Students will then apply analytical techniques to examine the effectiveness and safety of said products. If you’ve ever read the ingredients list of your favorite soap, shampoo, or skin care product and wonder what the list represents? Or, if you’ve ever wondered why some products are more effective than others? This is your chance to explore those topics and more.
Paleontology/Prehistory
Journey Through Time
Age 8-12 years old
Prehistoric life has long fascinated people around the world. In this experience, you will take an expedition through geologic time to explore life that has been lost throughout Earth’s history. This learning experience will consider long-extinct forms of life, both plants and animals. You will examine the processes of fossilization and make your own fossil model from specimens that existed, then became extinct long before the dinosaurs. Learn the ABCs of life in the Mesozoic Era — the age of dinosaurs. Complete the week’s experience with life after the extinction of dinosaurs including the rise of mammals and early hominids, our ancestors. Activities include:
- Geologic time in symphony form
- Casting trilobites and collecting turitellas
- A simulated fossil excavation
- Mammoth science and math
- Lab preparation of real prehistoric whale bones
- Prehistoric art
- Fossil parade — bring your own to exhibit
- Construct a model paleontology museum