Young Scientists Dive into Chemistry, Biology and More at 2026 YMCA "Mad" Scientist Camp
From creating lava lamps to paddling a tidal creek and learning how biologists track wildlife, young campers spent a week discovering science at USCB's sixth annual YMCA "Mad" Scientist Summer Camp.
The University of South Carolina Beaufort, Port Royal Sound Foundation, Beaufort Kayak and the Wardle Family YMCA of Beaufort County partnered to host the weeklong summer camp for children ages 7 to 12. Made possible with support from the USCB Education Foundation, Latitude Margaritaville and Dominion Energy, the camp provided young learners with opportunities for hands-on experiments, creative projects and outdoor adventures.
The camp is a popular USCB summer tradition that brings together Natural Sciences faculty, USCB Library faculty and staff, and university students in a shared mission to give the campers a great week of STEM education and fun.
USCB’s Heather Thornton and Dr. Butch Alvarez coordinated the camp, which took place June 29-July 3 on the university's Bluffton and Beaufort campuses, at the Port Royal Sound Foundation's Maritime Center, and at Factory Creek on Lady's Island.
The week began at the Port Royal Sound Foundation, where campers learned about local marine life and created colorful fish prints inspired by species found in Lowcountry waters.
On Tuesday, Beaufort Kayak led the campers as they paddled through Factory Creek on Lady’s Island. Launching from the While Hall Boat Landing, they explored the tidal creek ecosystem, observed wildlife, and learned about the coastal environment.
Wednesday's activities took place on USCB’s Bluffton Campus, in the laboratories of the Science and Technology Building. Campers conducted chemistry experiments, including making lava lamps from mason jars, vegetable oil and food coloring.
Among the week’s highlights were demonstrations led by USCB chemistry instructor Dr. Will Eubanks. One of the biggest crowd-pleasers was the iodine clock reaction, where two clear liquids appeared unchanged—until they suddenly turned deep blue in an instant, revealing the "magical" timing of competing chemical reactions.
At USCB's Bluffton Campus library on Thursday, campers learned how digital storytelling creates powerful messages when they recorded and edited podcasts, among other activities.
The week concluded at USCB’s Beaufort Campus in the Marine Science labs, where campers stepped into the role of wildlife researchers with USCB faculty. Dr. William Oakley and Dr. Heather Lepage demonstrated the techniques ornithologists use to safely capture, band and study wild birds — before releasing them unharmed. The young scientists created and proudly wore their own “bird band” bracelets.
Also in Beaufort, Dr. Ryan Hanscom showed the campers the molted skin of a rattlesnake and let them compare the rattles of an adult and a baby rattlesnake. He demonstrated how biologists use radio telemetry to track snakes fitted with tiny radio transmitters.
While the activities varied from day to day, the camp’s mission remained the same: to inspire young people to ask questions, investigate the world around them and see science as exciting.
By combining the expertise of USCB faculty and staff with the resources of community partners and generous sponsors, YMCA "Mad" Scientist Summer Camp gives the next generation of innovators lasting memories and an even greater sense of curiosity about the world around them.
- USCB -
CW 07/16/2026