BioCamp’s summer sessions have been a hit, with all modules now full except the August 3–14 Microbiology session, which still has a few openings. If you know a student with a curiosity about biology and the invisible world of microbes, there is still a chance to experience BioCamp this summer.
The first session gave students an immersive introduction to the microbial world through hands-on experiments and behind-the-scenes visits across Harvard. Campers learned how to use microscopes, grew pink and purple bacteria, isolated single bacterial colonies, and observed living microorganisms such as paramecia and amoebas.
Along the way, they met renowned microbiologist Richard Losick, visited Carolyn Elya‘s lab to learn about her fascinating research on “zombie flies,” watched movies of dividing cells at the Harvard Center for Biological Imaging, and explored the collections at the Harvard Museum of Natural History.
The August session will repeat the same popular microbiology curriculum, giving middle school students the opportunity to conduct laboratory experiments, explore Harvard’s research community, and discover what it’s like to be a scientist.
Parents of students who attended the first session said BioCamp sparked curiosity, built confidence, and made science come alive.
“My children learned a lot these two weeks, and I am so glad we had this opportunity for them from amazing research scientists like yourselves,” one parent wrote. “You helped them open their eyes to a whole new world.”
Another parent admitted to being skeptical at first.
“When my kids asked me to find a biology camp this summer, I thought, ‘Really? Why?’ I was remembering my own boring biology classes,” the parent wrote. “I was expecting, ‘Do we have to go to camp?’ but I was wrong. Every day they came home talking about octopuses, water bears, and bacteria. By the end, they wished BioCamp would last longer—and even joked that camp should end at 8 p.m.”
One family appreciated how welcoming the experience was for a first-time camper.
“My daughter had an incredible time at MCB BioCamp,” another parent wrote. “As a first-time camper, she was a bit nervous, but Dr. K and Dr. M were exceptionally welcoming and attentive. She left camp each day excited to come back, made new friendships, and had an enriching experience. I highly recommend MCB BioCamp to any parent looking for a fun, positive camp.”
Another parent highlighted the unique opportunity to experience real science.
“She hasn’t stopped talking about the axolotl regeneration lab or how sea stars can still eat, see, and smell,” the parent wrote. “It’s so rare for kids this age to get this kind of exposure to real research and hands-on lab skills. I’m so thankful to the program directors and the researchers who opened their labs to these students.”
A fifth parent praised both the scientific rigor and the atmosphere.
“My middle schooler came home buzzing about ‘pink and purple bacteria,’ ‘zombie flies,’ and ‘water bears,'” the parent wrote. “The camp strikes the perfect balance: it’s genuinely academic without ever feeling like school.” The parent also praised the counselors, noting that every instructor holds a Ph.D. and treats campers like “real budding scientists.” “Science all day, and they still didn’t want to leave. We’ll be back.”
Register for the August BioCamp Microbiology module here: BioCamp registration
