This summer, search under rocks for crawdads and salamanders, test stream waters for salinity, pH and dissolved oxygen and learn how those elements interact with living and non-living components of stream systems. At this summer institute, you’ll explore how a fish, an insect, algae and even an old tire, influence each other and are affected by one another in a continuum — from small streams to large rivers.
You’ll engage in learning experiences about the environment and long-term ecological studies, as well as explore career possibilities in science and ecology.
Students entering grades 10–12 are invited to register.
The 2024 Summer Pre-College Program information and registration will be available soon. See below for a sampling of program highlights, information to know and instructors.
About the Program
Eager to begin your studies and to investigate:
If plants affect the presence of aquatic invertebrates?
How the material in the stream bed influence aquatic communities?
The correlation between stream flow, water temperature, dissolved oxygen and fish populations?
For a full week, you will be taught the fundamentals of water quality, macroinvertebrate and fish sampling, and identification. You’ll get plenty of hands-on experience using the latest equipment and methods employed by professionals in the field of aquatic ecology.
On the final day, you will present your findings, using the latest in computer technology, to a panel of science educators and natural resource professionals.
Join us for this exciting college life experience while learning the basics of stream ecology!
Highlights
At Stream Ecology Institute, you’ll get a chance to:
“Immerse” yourself in the Susquehanna River Basin ecosystem to learn about numerous components of the streams.
Learn how water movement, fish, invertebrates, vegetation, bacteria, water chemistry and pollution affect the creek.
Explore regional creeks from the bottomup anddevelop your own study to investigate an aspect of the creek that interests you.
Other highlights include:
Boating
Hiking
Picnicking in state parks
Visit to Penn’s Cave
Daily field trips
Sample collections in rivers, creeks and small streams
Electrofishing in local streams
Study of headwater streams
Final research presentations for families
Check-In at SU
Sunday, 2:30–4:30 p.m. Degenstein Campus Center, Mellon Lounge
Things to Bring
Toiletry Items
Pillow
Snacks, drinks (if desired) There is access to a small kitchenette with mini fridge, sink and microwave.
Blanket (if desired) Linens, including sheets, a pillowcase, a thin blanket and towels will be provided.
Blanket or beach towel to sit on for outdoor movie night
Business casual outfit for presentations on Saturday morning
Casual clothing for classes and most scheduled events
Swimwear
Athletic clothing for kayaking, basketball, tennis, etc.
Water shoes
Chest waders (optional)
Tennis rackets, frisbees, etc. (if you enjoy playing)
Writing folder/tablet, pens, pencils
Alarm clock
Spending money (for bookstore, evening snacks, if desired)
Health Services
While there aren’t any campus health center services available for the Summer Pre-College Programs participants, program staff will have first aid kits for minor scrapes and scratches.
Should a program participant need any emergency attention, local hospitals, Med Express and Care Centers are readily available. Parents/guardians will be contacted immediately to discuss options and insurance arrangements.
The Medical Form is a crucial part of any medical or emergency procedure and must be returned before the start of the program for the student to be considered fully registered.
Cars on Campus
If a student drives to campus for any of the Summer Pre-College Programs, the Event Management Office will hold the keys to the vehicle from Sunday afternoon to the following Saturday morning.
Leaving Campus
Program participants are not permitted to leave campus unless the activity is part of the program’s schedule, and they are accompanied by student counselors or program directors.
Violation of this or any other regulation established by the “Principles of Student Conduct” will forfeit a student’s participation in the program.
Cell Phones (please note)
Students may have access to their cell phonesexcept forthe following times: classroom and instruction sessions and guest speaker presentations, at which time cell phones must be put in silent mode or turned off. If you must reach your student during these times, please contact the Event Management Office at 570-372-4354.
Mail
Families can send mail to participants at the following address:
Event Management Office Stream Ecology Institute Susquehanna University 514 University Ave. Selinsgrove, PA 17870
Phone Numbers
To reach students on campus, please call:
Event Management Office 570-372-4354 Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to noon and 1-5 p.m.
University’s Main Switchboard 570-374-0101 (ask for the Event Management Office) Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m.
Susquehanna University Campus Safety 570-372-4444 or 4428 (anytime)
The Final Day (Saturday)
Breakfast with University Faculty and Personnel; Culminating Group or Individual Presentations; and Check-Out
Breakfast, hosted by the faculty of the sponsoring academic department, will be 8:30–9:30 a.m. for participants and their family members.
Program participants will present their final presentation on Saturday, 10–11:30 a.m. Presentation Room: Natural Science Center, 128 A&B
Parents/family members are encouraged to participate in botheventsonSaturday morning and should make reservations forbreakfastby indicating how many guests will attend on the registration form.
Directions to the breakfast and presentation areas will be available at check-in on Sunday afternoon. Breakfast will be in the same building as the check-in. A representative will be available after breakfast to usher you to the meeting space for the presentations.
Students will check out of their rooms immediately after the presentation on Saturday and must return room keys and meal tags at that time.
Event Management staff will be available at the residence halls tofacilitatecheck-out and collect keys, meal fobs, etc.
Available Schedules
Parents and students will receive a copy of the program’s week-long schedule during check-in.
As of March 31, 2022, Susquehanna University strongly recommends its overnight guests be up-to-date with the COVID-19 vaccination by the time they arrive on campus.
Susquehannastrongly recommendsSummer Pre-College Program participants to test for COVID-19 within 72 hoursofarrivalto campus. Participants must follow masking protocols that may be in effect at the time of the camp.
If you have questions regarding the COVID-19 vaccination recommendation, email Michelle Harman at summerprograms@susqu.edu or call 570-372-4451.
*Participant safety is our highest priority. Susquehanna University reserves the right to cancel Summer Pre-College Programs, if necessary, in order to comply with local, state, and federal guidelines and recommendations and reserves the right to change course based on circumstances.
The $875 comprehensive fee includes room, meals and all program materials.
Must be registered by July 3
Scholarships
Scholarships are available based on financial need and academic performance. No full-tuition scholarships are available.
A letter from your guidance counselor, indicating your eligibility for free/reduced lunch or other measure(s) of financial need, is required for scholarship consideration.
Deadlines
All registrations must be submitted no later than July 3.
All supporting documentation must be received prior to your arrival on campus.
Susquehanna University reserves the right to cancel any Summer Pre-College Program. If Susquehanna University cancels the program you are registered for, you will receive a full refund.
Cancellations made at least 10 days prior to the start of the program will be refunded in full.
Refunds will not be provided for cancellations received fewer than 10 days prior to the program
Early departures for reasons including but not limited to homesickness, parental request and failure to follow the program’s principles of conduct are not eligible for refund
Refund requests may be submitted for early departures due to unforeseeable circumstances such as death in the immediate family or serious illness. Refunds will be reviewed and granted on a case-by-case basis.
The Stream Ecology Institute is run by Susquehanna University faculty and staff who study and monitor environmental issues within the watershed. The program is born from dedicated faculty who are committed to the research to define and improve the quality of life for all who live, work and play within the Susquehanna River Basin boundaries.
Dr. Holt and his lab study algae and macroinvertebrates in small headwater streams and the large main stem of the Susquehanna River. He follows the two types of living communities to see how they change through seasons and how they vary through years. Within that variability he looks for patterns that inform him about the health of the aquatic systems. Visit Holtlab on Facebook for updates.
Michael Bilger
Adjunct Faculty in Biology Susquehanna University
With the university’s Freshwater Research Initiative, Bilger and his team were involved in six stream restoration projects with the PA Fish and Boat Commission. He partnered with Penn State University to study smallmouth bass from four sites on the Susquehanna River and surrounding creeks. Bilger was also involved in a joint study to dissect the stomach contents from thousands of crayfish to identify what they have been eating.
