Aspiring Doctor From Northville Represents State At Elite Camp

A recent Northville High School graduate who plans to study biomedical engineering at Stanford University was among 100 other top high school graduates from around the world attending the the nearly month-long 2015 National Youth Science Camp.

Samantha Kargilis represented Michigan at the camp, which was held in the Monongahela National Forest in West Virginia. according to a news release. The camp integrated scientific programming with opportunities for delegates to explore music, art, and the outdoors.

Each year, delegates are able to attend lectures and directed studies led by top scientists and professors from all over the country.

This year’s lecture topics included: statistics and science policy, finding a cure for cancer, and fractal mathematics. Throughout camp, 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. Delegates also chose from seminars ranging from Ultimate Frisbee and swing dancing to discussions of philosophy, travel, religion, and culture.

The National Youth Science Camp, operating for over 50 years since its inception in 1963, is operated by the National Youth Science Foundation.