The next generation of scientists and medical professionals will be ready to tackle the problems of tomorrow thanks to Baylor College of Medicine’s Center for Educational Outreach 2022 Camp Med and Eagle Camp.

This year marked the return to an in-person format for the bridge camps since the onset of the pandemic two years ago.

“The bridge camps offer a wonderfully supportive transition into middle school, at such a transformative time in teen development, while exciting students about biomedical science,” said Dr. Beatriz Perez-Sweeney, assistant professor in the education, innovation and technology at Baylor and science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) specialist for the Baylor College of Medicine Academy at James D. Ryan Middle School.

Camp Med at the Baylor College of Medicine Academy at Ryan Middle School, and Eagle Camp at Baylor College of Medicine Biotech Academy at Rusk Middle School give students real-world experience with pathogens and infectious diseases through various activities, putting them in the shoes of microbiologists, medical first responders and science writers.

In June 2022, Baylor welcomed 7th and 8th grade students from the BCM Biotech Academy at Rusk Middle School.

“Students attending (these camps) prepare for the high expectations of Baylor College of Medicine-associated schools, while having fun and making friends,” Perez-Sweeney said.

The bridge camps are one of several free resources, including BioEd Online and SuperSTAAR, provided by the Center for Educational Outreach, that improve science teaching for educators and learning for all students. Learn more about Baylor’s affiliated secondary campuses.

By Aaron Nieto