Programs, events, visitors and sports all generate activity
By: Allison Musante
Summer has the ability to empty out a college campus. But this is not the case for Princeton University, which is busy and brimming with sports and academic programs designed to educate and inspire fun.
Eric Hamblin, director of the Office of Conference and Event Services, said there are definitely more summer programs than there were 10 years ago, and the trend of a busy summer at Princeton University is not wavering.
"In the summer, it (life on campus) is very similar to what we have during the academic year," Mr. Hamblin said. "We try to use these facilities to the highest capacity."
The Office of Conference and Event Services rents out space every summer to nonprofit organizations that sponsor a wide variety of programs aimed at middle and high school students, undergraduates, and teachers from near and far.
For students and teachers interested in furthering their knowledge of science, many different workshops will explore the topics of plasma physics, solar energy, condensed matter physics and environmental science.
The Gran-Sasso-Princeton Physics Summer School, for example, will host 22 Italian high school students from the Abruzzi and Molise regions of Italy. The Princeton scientists will teach the classes in Italian on the topics of special relativity, electromagnetism, and quantum and modern physics.
Now in its sixth summer, the popular Summer Journalism Program will host 23 high school students from low-income backgrounds. With the help of Princeton alumni, the students will practice reporting and writing, produce a television documentary, and visit The New York Times and ABC News to get advice from guest speakers in major media outlets.
For the sports camps, there are 55 sessions scheduled in 21 different sports.
Teachers from local schools and around the world will further their knowledge of topics such as history and science and discuss ways of better teaching these topics in the classrooms.
One particular workshop, called "Hot Topics, Cool Genes," welcomes high school teachers from around the world to explore molecular biology by analyzing DNA. They will also learn how to inspire their students with what they learn during their two-week stay.
Ten Princeton undergraduates will be working on the forefront of stem-cell technology and synthetic biology. Last summer, participants in this workshop competed against over 30 teams from institutions across the globe, and placed third for their work creating insulin-producing cells that may one day help treat diabetes.
In addition to having an educational and fun experience, the high-school-age participants also have the opportunity to live on a college campus and live like a Princeton student since they are provided with dormitories, meal plans and library and gym access among other necessities and conveniences.
"We see these middle and high school students who want to stay sharp and go to a college like Princeton, and whether it’s an academic or sports program, this is a really nice snapshot of Princeton," Mr. Hamblin said. "The experience can give you a good idea if this campus is for you."
"We want our participants to leave Princeton with a favorable impression," he said.
Mr. Hamblin said the Office of Conference and Event Services also makes sure the summer participants are safe and comfortable during their stay of three to six weeks.
He said this year has been particularly challenging because of maintenance and construction work on campus. The office ensures that the space surrounding construction sites is protected.

