Biodiversity Camp
July 8 - July 9
Explore how drones, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and field ecology are used in real-world research, led by Mountie professors from the Science & Math and History, Politics, & Geographic Analysis (HPGA) departments!
July 8-9, 2026
Drone and GIS-Assisted Biodiversity Analysis is a two-day immersive STEM summer camp for high school students in grades 10–12. Hosted on the Mount Aloysius College campus, students will work alongside faculty to explore how drones, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), field ecology, and molecular biology are used in real-world scientific research to perform a suitability study for the northern flying squirrel. Through this interdisciplinary, inquiry-based experience, students will gain authentic research skills, collaborate with peers and faculty, and connect classroom science to cutting-edge environmental problem-solving.
On day one, participants will observe drone-flying techniques and analyze GIS data to identify field study sites to investigate habitat suitability for Pennsylvania’s endangered northern flying squirrel. On day two, participants will conduct biodiversity field studies and perform hands-on laboratory techniques, including DNA isolation and PCR for species verification.
Questions? Contact Dr. Crystal Goldyn, Science and Mathematics Department Chair, at cgoldyn@mtaloy.edu
Registration for 2026 camps opens March 23, 2026!
FAQs
Who will I be interacting with at the camp?
In addition to the other high school students in your group, you will interact with faculty members and staff from the Mount’s Science & Math department.