Millikin University hosted its annual Chemistry Camp for high school students June 5-9. Students engaged in hands-on research and prepared scholarship-ready science projects as part of the camp. This year's theme was food science as the students participated in lab and kitchen research on the Millikin campus.
The camp was a collaboration with Millikin's College of Arts & Sciences and Center for Entrepreneurship, as well as the University of Illinois Extension and Richland Community College.
"The students worked on the chemistry of food and molecular gastronomy," said Dr. Anne Rammelsberg, associate professor of chemistry at Millikin. "It is the creative use of food ingredients to make different kinds of textures and tastes in foods. Part of why we decided to do food science is because it's really accessible to the students and they can turn it into science fair projects, become entrepreneurs, and earn scholarships."
Millikin received funding for the camp from Archer Daniels Midland Co. (ADM). Eleven students from the central Illinois area took part in this year's camp, including three Project SEED students and one graduate of the Project SEED program.
"This experience opens windows for the students that they might not have imagined as possible," said Dr. Rammelsberg. "They were surprised by all the chemistry and science that goes into producing food and creating good recipes. It's a good opportunity for them to experience the kinds of things that we do in chemistry."
Research sessions were held each day in Millikin's Leighty-Tabor Science Center, and the campers worked on recipes such as Jell-O foam parfait, carrot and fruit juice caviar, and arugula spaghetti. The students also had the opportunity to hear from food-industry entrepreneurs during lunches.
Among the speakers was Millikin alumna Heather Jones '09, a quality assurance manager at ADM. Jones shared her background with the students, how she started at ADM and her day-to-day duties. "The students were very interested in learning about the processing plant, incoming goods and finished products," said Jones.
The camp concluded with a demonstration dinner event on Friday, June 9, where students presented the results of their work.
"Many visionary entrepreneurs and innovators start out as chemists or scientists," said Julie Shields, director of the Center for Entrepreneurship at Millikin. "The great thing about science is that you can be an essential part of an existing business or you can launch your own entrepreneurial venture. Camps like this are a great way for youth to start seeing themselves in those roles."
Millikin will host a Chemistry Camp for junior high school students July 24-28. The cost to enroll in the Chemistry Camp is $150.
For more information about Millikin's Chemistry Camp contact Kate Flemming, program coordinator and adjunct professor in the Center for Entrepreneurship, at 217.424.6296 or by e-mail at kflemming@millikin.edu.