CAIRO: The School of Continuing Education (SCE) at the American University in Cairo (AUC) is hosting three summer programs to help youngsters from 6 to 17 years of age make good use of their summer time. From developing academic and social skills to embedding a love of science, the Youth Summer Programs, Young Scientists Camp and University Preparation Program aim to engage participants in hands-on activities that enhance their cognitive abilities. “This is the first program of its kind in Egypt,” said Deena Boraie, founder of the University Preparation Program and associate dean of instructional affairs at SCE. “There are many university applicants out there with outstanding intellectual abilities who are unable to thrive in an academic environment simply because they haven't been equipped with the necessary skills to do so. The University Preparation Program helps these young learners make up for this deficiency.” SCE's University Preparation Program is designed for students getting ready for admission to the University. Offered mainly to students enrolled in first to third secondary, the program serves as a foundation for student success and high achievement at any English-medium university in Egypt or any part of the world. Its aim is to maximize student opportunities for a smooth transition into the academic field by equipping them with the tools necessary for effective social and academic performance inside and outside the University. Similarly, the Young Scientists Camp, held in collaboration with the School of Sciences and Engineering, aims to build student curiosity and enthusiasm for science by introducing hands-on educational science and engineering activities. The camp engages students in competitions and games, and encourages active learning through investigation, experimentation, play and demonstration. The camp stresses the importance of science in everyday life and in economic development, with emphasis on environmental conservation, traditional and alternative energy resources, and energy conservation. “We're hoping to create an environment where young scientists of diverse backgrounds and interests may reap maximum benefits from interaction with one another and with AUC scientists and students,” said Ehab Abdel-Rahman, associate dean of graduate studies at the School of Sciences and Engineering and director of the Yousef Jameel Science and Technology Research Center, “We hope to broaden, to inspire and to encourage a sense of thoughtful scientific leadership among future scientists, engineers, mathematicians and health care professionals. Ultimately, we aspire to build an environmentally sustainable science teaching center for use by all students, teachers and families.” Offered on an annual basis to juniors from all areas across Cairo, the Youth Summer Programs enable participants to interact through a variety of activities that encompass the areas of sports, arts and crafts, dance, theater, critical reading, computer skills and living values. This year, the program is collaborating with Career Advancement and Placement Services to offer the Discover Your True Colors workshop to participants who are 14 to 15 years of age. Through the workshop, students engage in interactive activities that identify trends and analyze characters to propose suitable career paths. Similarly, SCE is working with AUC's Desert Development Center to offer the Going Green initiative, which seeks to raise environmental awareness among learners through a range of activities that involve agricultural development. “The program places emphasis on experiential learning,” said Noha Khafagi, manager of the Youth Summer Programs and senior English language teacher at SCE. “In fact, the program's theme is Discover and Explore, whereby juniors are encouraged to actively take part in collaborative activities that help build character and critical thinking skills.”
