Dr. Mike Elsbury To Unlock Mysteries of Aether
In Directed Study on Radio Frequency Engineering

Dr. Mike Elsbury, 1999 delegate to NYSC from Idaho and currently a senior electrical engineer at Sandia National Laboratories, will present a directed study at NYSC July-8-10 entitled, “Unlocking the Mysteries of the Aether: Radio Frequency Engineering.”

During the directed study, delegates will explore major concepts of electromagnetic waves and propagation as they study the history of the field, from Maxwell’s equations through modern communications technology. They will then build and test their own FM transmitters similar to a music player adapter for a car stereo.

Elsbury recalled a unit leader during his camp experience telling him, “Success is not measured in taking adolescents who are lost and putting them on a straight and narrow path of drive and desire; true success is taking young adults who are blinded by a singular path and instilling in them such broad and varied interests that they leav here with no idea what they will do or where they will go, only that they will excel in accomplishing many, many great things.”

Dr. Rick Walker

As a retired breast cancer surgeon, Dr. Walker hopes to share his 40-year experience in both a formal lecture and through many informal discussions. “I will attempt to give delegates a glimpse unto cancer genetics, genetic profiling, cancer immunology and philosophy of care,” he said.

Dr. Walker has been lecturing continuously at NYSC for 36 years. He is currently a part-time member faculty member in Biology at Hartford Community College in Bel Air, MD.

Across the nation selection committees are announcing the selection of delegates to represent their state at the 2013 National Youth Science Camp.

• Arkansas School for Mathematics, Science and the Arts
• Florida State Science Fair
• California Department of Education

Mr. Greg Pitter To Conduct Directed Study
On What a Successful Scientist Needs

Mr. Greg Pitter, 1992 delegate to NYSF from Nevada and currently IT Director at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, will conduct a directed study June 28-30 at NYSC entitled, “What a Successful Scientist Needs (Except the Science Part).

“Organizational politics and harsh business realities have always been the bane of scientists, doctors, teachers, and inventors – a danger lurking in the shadows that always has the potential to cancel projects regardless of scientific value, or worse yet a distraction keeping great minds from doing what they do best, Mr. Pitter said. “But what if they could work for you instead of against you?  We’ll learn a bit about leadership, team dynamics, and influence, and then we will dissect the mind of an MBA (metaphorically) to understand how it works.”

Across the nation selection committees are announcing the selection of delegates to represent their state at the 2013 National Youth Science Camp.

• Department of Education announces Arkansas’s National Youth Science Camp delegation
• Governor announces Iowa’s National Youth Science Camp delegation - link 2
• Shorewood High Student Earns Trip to National Science Camp
• Two Knoxville Seniors Chosen for National Youth Science Camp Honors
• Harlan senior receives special award
• Check out the National Youth Science Camp

Dr. Brian Tucholke To Lead Directed Study
On Geological Evolution of the North Atlantic Ocean

Plate tectonics theory as developed over the past four-five decades has been a powerful tool for both explaining and predicting the structure and evolution of the earth. Dr. Tucholke said that in this directed study, delegates will:

• Survey the basic tenets of plate tectonics and investigate how they have controlled the evolution of the North Atlantic Ocean basin,
• Use geologic maps and apply general geologic principles to construct geologic cross sections from the eastern margin of North America out to the axis of the Mid-Atlantic Range,
• Examine North Atlantic basin structure, ocean circulation and sedimentation patterns from the time of initial rifting in Late Triassic time up to the present using a map-series of plate reconstructions,
• Consider the structure of North Atlantic oceanic crust and how it is created at the axis of the present Mid-Atlantic Ridge.

“Attending the NYSC as a representative from South Dakota in 1964 was a remarkable and unforgettable experience. It’s a great pleasure to return and share a lifetime of learning in geology with young and enthusiastic NYSC attendees,” Dr. Tucholke said.

Julie Robinson
International Space Station Program

Dr. Julie Robinson, a 1985 delegate to NYSC from Idaho, and chief scientist of the International Space Station Program at NASA will present “Eureka on the International Space Station” at 9:15 a.m., July 5, at NYSC.

Dr. Robinson said that scientists are trained to be observers, but “we are just as vulnerable as anyone else about the unstated assumptions we make in understanding the world around us.

“From physics, to cell biology, to human physiology, scientists are now able to test their assumptions about the role of gravity in shaping and even masking our understanding of the universe. I will share some of the eureka moments that have come from taking gravity out of the equation, as scientists carry out their research on the most capable laboratory ever built in space.”

Dr. Robinson will also share how her interdisciplinary scientific interests were the “perfect preparation” for being a scientific leader of an interdisciplinary laboratory and explain how students can get their experiments onboard the space station.

YSDE also offers outdoor recreation, informal seminars, and talks from visiting scientists in a variety of fields.  Participants are responsible for transportation to and from Canaan Valley Institute, and a full commitment for on-site attendance is required for March 20-24 and April 24-28.  The program is free to students, and teachers working as staff will receive a stipend.   Visit http://www.ysde.org or contact YSDE director Josh Stevens at josh.stevens@nysf.com or (304) 550-3421 for details and application information.

Important Links:

• Spring 2013 YSDE Summary
• Application Instructions
• General Application
• Staff Roles

The National Youth Science Foundation and the National Youth Science Camp Alumni Association invite you to join in celebration at the NYSC 50th Anniversary Reunion.

Planned activities include:

• BBQ Lunch at Camp Pocahontas
• Director’s Reception Tea
• Special Musical Performance
• Visit to Camp Allegheny
• Visit to NRAO
• Optional Outdoor Activities
• Gala Event

To see the full schedule and to register please click here!

Applications to join the 2013 Staph* are currently under review. If you are interested in joining Staph for seasonal positions, see here for the application process. Don’t delay!

* Staph is a traditional spelling; their enthusiasm is infectious!