Ag-DISCOVERY Camp
Investing in the Future of Plant Science
July 13-24, 2009

A Summer Camp for 14-17 year olds
on the campus of NC State University, Raleigh, North Carolina
Sponsored by the US Department of Agriculture and The Science House at NC State

What Is Ag-DISCOVERY?

Ag-DISCOVERY is an outreach program to help students learn about careers in plant science and veterinary medicine.  Students live on campus, learning field and laboratory research techniques from university professors and practicing entomologists, botanists, and plant pathologists working for the U.S. Government.

This two-week summer residential program targets students 14–17 years of age who are interested in learning more about plant science.  Students chosen to participate in Ag-DISCOVERY will explore a research topic through hands-on laboratory experiences, workshops, and field trips. Students will also participate in character and team-building activities and diversity workshops.

Who Is Sponsoring the Ag-DISCOVERY Program?

The Plant Pathology Department at North Carolina State University (NCSU) and the Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ) division of the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS)—an agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)—cooperate to sponsor Ag-DISCOVERY.

How Much Will It Cost?

Students selected for Ag-DISCOVERY will pay only the cost of their transportation to and from NC State campus. The Equal Employment Opportunity Advisory Committee of APHIS’ Plant Protection and Quarantine Division will sponsor the cost of tuition, room and board, and lab supplies for the two-week program.

How Do I Apply?

Applications for this year’s camp are available at www.aphis.usda.gov/agdiscovery/
Applications must be postmarked by April 24, 2009. The deadline has been extended!

What Is the Ag-DISCOVERY’s focus at NC State?

Ag-DISCOVERY at North Carolina State University has a plant-science focus.  However, many lab and field experiences will relate to veterinary science.  For example, lab work in DNA gel electrophoresis is relevant to animal science and field work in specimen collection and identification is relevant to animal science.  Plant sciences include entomology (the study of insects), plant pathology (the study of plant diseases), botany (the study of plants), and agronomy (the science of soil management and production of field crops)

Are there other Ag-DISCOVERY programs?

Other Ag-DISCOVERY programs in the eastern U.S. include:

Alcorn State Univ. (focus on veterinary science)
Univ. of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (focus on plant and animal science)
Florida A&M Univ. (focus on animal care)
Kentucky State Univ. (focus on veterinary science)
Univ. of Maryland (focus on plant and animal science)
Delaware State Univ. (focus on agricultural science and business)

What if I have other questions?

Please contact Janet Bailey, Program Coordinator at janet_bailey@ncsu.edu, (919) 515-8824