Individual-Based Programs

Below is information on programs currently being offered by the College of Sciences and Mathematics for students in kindergarten through high school. Please click on the program titles for more information.

Grades 1-5

Arboretum Days - Hosted by the Donald E. Davis Arboretum at Auburn University, Arboretum Days, is a Saturday program designed especially for children in grades K-5 held on select Saturdays in the fall and spring. Students who attend are actively engaged in activities that allow them to learn more about the outdoors and appreciate the Arboretum as a special resource. For more information, call 334-844-5770 or go to www.auburn.edu/arboretum.

Elementary Science Olympiad (grades 1-6) - Science Olympiad is a one-day sports-like science competition involving approximately 2,000 Alabama K-8 students each year. Auburn hosts two separate Olympiad events each year – one for middle school students and a separate event for elementary students.

Getting Under The Surface (G.U.T.S.) (grades 1-8) - GUTS is a monthly evening program for 1st-8th grade students and their parents or grandparents. Each evening session includes dessert followed by a 90-minute science activity featuring a “Getting Under the Surface” theme designed to demystify the science of topics ranging from DNA to creatures in the deep sea to how batteries work. The mission of GUTS is to enhance science literacy and engagement within our community by providing relevant science activities to students and their parents. Each year GUTS culminates at a spring “Backyard Science Bash”; a family-friendly event that includes an outdoor picnic followed by a science-themed demonstration show featuring our outstanding faculty and students.

Kidz-sized Science - Kidz-sized science is a monthly program for pre-kindergarten and kindergarten students. This Auburn University hosted event, takes place each month occurs at the Village Mall in Auburn. Each month our early educator focuses on a seasonal/thematic topic. During their time kids will be engaged in a good-book, explore the science behind a theme, and create a take-home project.

Parents' Night Out - Parents’ Night Out occurs on select Friday or Saturday evenings throughout the year. Parents can have an evening to themselves and peace of mind knowing that their children are in a safe, secure, and fun environment. Children ages 6-12 are entertained from 6:00-9:00pm while being exposed to the enjoyable side of science through hands-on science activities, games, and more. Children will have the opportunity to explore the world of engineering by programming LEGO robots, dip into the art of chemistry by creating chromatography projects, and exercise their problem solving abilities through minds-on games, puzzles, and more! A kid-friendly dinner is included so kids should arrive hungry for food and fun!

Science Matters (grades 1-6)- Science Matters is an all new summer enrichment program for elementary students in grades 1-6 that offers youngsters a supercharged science experience. The program allows participants to explore the world of science through real experiments, fantastic field trips, technology and art projects, and hands-on, make-n-take activities. Each summer, Science Matters offers multiple science-themed weeks of programming. Designed as a comprehensive six-year curricular program, Science Matters courses rotate each summer so that students can enter the program at any grade and experience unique programming each year through sixth grade. The flexibility of Science Matters allows students to engage in a single week or in multiple weeks each summer. Courses are designed and taught by exceptional elementary and secondary teachers of science who are trained in inquiry-based, student-centered learning approaches of instruction.

Spring Y.E.S. (grades 3-5) - Spring YES is a Saturday science academy offered every spring for students in grades 3-6. Courses for Spring YES have included Carnivorous Plants, Kitchen Chemistry, Scientific Egg Scramble and others.

Grades 6-8

Daughters and Mothers Exploring Science (D.A.M.E.S) - Sponsored by the Society of Women in Science and Mathematics, D.A.M.E.S. is a one day mini-conference aimed at increasing the number of women in the fields of science and mathematics. D.A.M.E.S. is a great opportunity for both mothers and their middle school daughters (grades 6-8) to explore the many wonders of science at Auburn University. This event includes 2-3 hands-on courses taught by female students, faculty, and women from industry followed by a luncheon and keynote speaker.

Summer Y.E.S. (grades 7-9) - Summer YES is a four-day summer enrichment academy that offers a variety of unique experiences for children who will enter grades 7-9 in the fall of that year. The program appeals to those students who have a genuine interest in how things work, what things are made of, and real world science.

Grades 9-12

S.S.I. (Summer Science Institute) - This all-new summer science program for outstanding 11th-12th grade students interested in science and mathematics is open to students residing in Alabama or Georgia.