Applicants sought for summer camps

Arkansas students who will be 10th-graders in the 2021-22 school year are eligible for Summer at ASMSA, which consists of free summer camps set for June 27-July 2 on the campus of the Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences and the Arts in Hot Springs.

All camp expenses — including tuition, housing, meals and class supplies — are free.

Selection for all camps is competitive. Priority deadline for applications is Friday, but applications will be accepted until all spots are filled.

The four camps for which students may apply are:

■ Studio Art Camp. Students will engage in observational drawing, collage, painting, photography and more.

■ Biomedical Sciences Summer Institute. This is made possible through an Academic Enrichment for the Gifted and Talented in Summer (AEGIS) grant from the Arkansas Department of Education. Participants will engage in forensic crime scene analysis and microbial biochemical identification tests, gaining hands-on experience in molecular biology laboratory techniques, as well as scientific literacy and communication skills. Students will isolate their own DNA, collect and assess environmental bacteria for antibiotic resistance, learn about aspects of protein structure and mutations, and transform bacteria to make them glow in the dark.

■ Entrepreneurship and Innovation Bootcamp. This camp is for innovators, aspiring entrepreneurs and outside-the-box thinkers. Principles of design thinking, rapid product development, product/market fit, and business model development will be featured. The week culminates with an exposition in which attendees prepare and deliver public pitches of their ideas.

■ Computer Science Camp. Hands-on experiences in robotics, computer graphics, animation, cybersecurity, and embedded systems are planned. The camp concludes with a half-day digital Capture the Flag hackathon activity that allows students to showcase their creativity and problem-solving skills experienced throughout the week.

Information about the application process is at: asmsa. me/summeratASMS.