Fairmont State University Receives STaR Opportunity Grant for FACT Camp

Fairmont State University has been awarded $5,000 through the West Virginia Science, Technology and Research (STaR) Opportunity Grant Program to continue offering its Forensic and Analytical Chemistry Technology (FACT) summer camp.

FACT Camp is a free one-week summer day camp for West Virginia middle school students, presented by Fairmont State’s forensics and chemistry faculty. Campers learn about forensic science and analytical chemistry technology through introductory courses taught by University faculty and participate in hands-on activities to apply their knowledge to real-world problems. They have the opportunity to use modern forensic and chemistry technology and be mentored by Fairmont State STEM undergraduates.

Dr. Mark Flood, Professor of Forensic Science at Fairmont State, has led the camp since 2018. “We have had enthusiastic participation in FACT Camp, and one of our current forensic science students joined the program partially because of their FACT experience,” said Flood. “We give students an experience that may spark their science passion.”

WV STaR, a division of the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission, is dedicated to leading competitive STEM research opportunities in West Virginia. The STaR Opportunity Grant funds projects that support STEM education, demonstrate the value of STEM in West Virginia, and/or support those in STEM careers.

FACT Camp will be held June 10-14, 2024 on Fairmont State’s campus and will host approximately 20 fifth through eighth grade students. Application forms for the camp are available on Fairmont State’s website.