Biomedical Research Camp
The Biomedical Research Girls Camp is a University of Arkansas outreach initiative that was incepted by Dr. Bailey in 2015 with the financial support from the Women’s Giving Circle, the Office of Diversity and Inclusion and the Multicultural Center. The camp is hosted by the Department of Biological Sciences in Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences. Currently the camp is funded by the William J Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences, the Office of Diversity and Inclusion, Walton College, the Department of Biological Sciences, the Department of Biomedical Engineering, the Office of Student Success, and the School of Art. University undergraduate and graduate students, faculty and staff work closely with the Dumas and Gould communities. Thank you to the everyone that works together to make the camp possible.
The objectives of the Biomedical Research Camp are to 1) increase the academic performance of Gould and Dumas, Arkansas junior high and high school students in science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics (STEAM) subjects, 2) increase the high school retention and graduation rate of students from Gould and Dumas, Arkansas, 3) prepare Gould and Dumas, Arkansas students and their families for college entrance exams and college life, 4) increase the enrollment, retention and graduation rate of students from Gould and Dumas, Arkansas at the University of Arkansas, and 5) increase the number of students from Gould and Dumas Arkansas that major in STEAM and graduate with degrees in STEAM.
The Biomedical Research Camp provides a unique on-campus laboratory research experience and exploration of Northwest Arkansas to students from Gould and Dumas, Arkansas. The camp includes transportation on a chartered bus to and from Northwest Arkansas, guided tours of the Amazeum and Crystal Bridges Museums, lunch and a guided tour of the Botanical Garden of the Ozarks with members of the Women Giving Circle, a faculty guided tour of Biomedical Engineering, Biological Sciences, and Biochemistry laboratories and a student guided tour of the University of Arkansas. Drs. Tyrone Washington, Paul Adams, Alison Place,Hanna Jensen, and Audie Thompson host the campers at their laboratories. Students visit the Multicultural center to learn about college preparation, student conduct, academic preparedness, and social media etiquette. For leisure students participate in scrimmage basketball games at the University of Arkansas HHPR basketball gymnasium and explore the greenway trails of Northwest Arkansas. Students lodge at an on-campus dormitory and eat at on-campus dining halls as well as local restaurants. Students play miniature golf, bowl, and see a movie at a local movie theater. The students train on laboratory safety and they conduct research projects with University undergraduate and graduate students in teaching laboratories. Mullins library staff and University undergraduate and graduate students teach the students to review scientific literature in Mullins library. Students also visit the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences and are hosted by the UAMS Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. Upon return to Dumas, the students host a science fair at the Arts Center for their parents and the communities.