Gentles represents state at National Youth Science Camp
PEARCY — Lake Hamilton High School graduate Emily Gentles, valedictorian of the 2015 class, represented Arkansas as a delegate to the 2015 National Youth Science Camp in Charleston, W. Va.
Gentles joined 100 other top high school graduates representing the United States and eight other countries at the prestigious three- and- a- half week program. The NYSC, located in the Monongahela National Forest in West Virginia, integrates scientific programming with opportunities for delegates to explore music, art, and the outdoors.
Delegates are able to attend lectures and directed studies led by top scientists and professors from across the country. This year’s lecture topics included statistics and science policy, finding a cure for cancer, and fractal mathematics.
“NYSC has strengthened my ability to inquire, to seek out information,” Gentles said. “This has prepared me for lifelong learning and has encouraged me to develop fact- based opinions.”
The directed study program allowed delegates to have extensive hands- on experience in specific fields that interest the delegates individually. Delegates had the opportunity to dissect a human brain, discuss cybersecurity and search through the DNA sequence of a genetic disease.
In addition to learning about groundbreaking scientific research, delegates explored their natural surroundings through an extensive outdoor program consisting of hiking, caving, mountain biking and rock climbing. The overnight backpacking trips provided delegates an opportunity to bond and appreciate the simplicity of nature.
“My favorite activity outdoors was the 12- mile Rocky Point hike,” Gentles said. “It was so beautiful. I loved the bond formed with my group, the challenge and the chance to simply be out in nature with everything I needed on my back.”
Delegates chose from seminars ranging from Ultimate Frisbee and swing dancing to discussions of philosophy, travel, religion and culture.