What grand problems would you like to solve? A new technology to detect chronic disease? Clean up the environment? Feed the world? Campers will learn how synthetic biology can be used to solve some of the grand challenges of our lifetime.  

Space is Limited! Early registration is recommended. Campers will be registered on a first-come, first-served basis, based upon date of registration and when payment is received. Waiting lists will be maintained and filled in the order that they were received should cancellations occur.

Registration

Date: June 1-5, 2025
Eligibility: Ages 14-18
Capacity: 24 students
Registration Fee$600 (includes all meals, housing and camp materials)

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Through hands-on laboratory projects, campers will explore how living organisms can be designed and modified to produce valuable chemicals and how they can control that process. Campers will select challenges they would like to solve and come up with solutions that combine the worlds of biology and engineering.

Campers will learn the fundamentals of synthetic biology through hands-on activities to:

  • Design and test genetic systems and optimize their performance.
  • Evaluate alternative genetic systems to determine the best solution to a problem.
  • Compare the results of putting genes into different cells.
  • Explore the use of yeast to make vitamin-enriched food.
  • Model an engineered biological system using an electronics building kit.
  • Learn about and debate the societal impacts of synthetic biology.
  • Participate in a design competition to propose and plan solutions to problems of their choosing.

Participants are responsible for their own transportation to and from Missouri University of Science and Technology in Rolla, Missouri. USA Express provides shuttle service from St. Louis Lambert Airport to Rolla. You can contact USA Express by calling 1-800-872-9399 or visiting their website at https://www.usaxonline.com/. If you are having challenges arranging transportation, please contact the STEM Center for additional assistance.

All camps will have a $50 non-refundable fee. Persons wishing to cancel their registration must do so two weeks (14 full days) prior to the first day of their chosen program. No refunds will be made after this date.

Missouri S&T reserves the right to cancel any program in the event of insufficient registrations, severe weather or natural disaster. In the event of cancellation, registrants will be notified immediately via email and phone, and all fees will be returned in full.

Want More Information?

Summer Camps

300 W. 13th Street, 106 Parker Hall, Rolla, MO
Phone: (573) 341-6204
Email: stemcenter@mst.edu

Operating Hours

Monday:8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Tuesday:8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Wednesday:8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Thursday:8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Friday:8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Saturday:Closed
Sunday:Closed