Faculty members from Arkansas Tech University and the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville collaborated to host a human sciences camp for high school students on the ATU campus in Russellville June 15-19.
Campers gained hands-on, experiential learning opportunities in three aspects of human sciences: apparel, hospitality and nutrition.
The camp was made possible through a $150,000 USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture grant to teach tangible life skills to high school students in rural Arkansas.
Susan West, ATU associate professor of tourism, is a sub-awardee on the grant.
Dr. Eunjoo Cho, professor and assistant dean of University of Arkansas Bumpers College honors program, is the grant’s primary investigator.
Dr. Sarah Hixson, assistant professor in the University of Arkansas School of Human Environmental Sciences, is co-primary investigator on the grant.
Other project leaders include University of Arkansas Bumpers College faculty members Dr. Nick Johnston, assistant professor from hospitality management, and Mallori Roberts, didactic program in dietetics director.
Natalie Miller, Lucas Osborn and Emry Wyatt — students in the University of Arkansas Bumpers College honors program — created the camp activities, planned the camp sessions and engaged with the camp participants. ATU student Lakan Cummings provided volunteer assistance.
The camp has its roots in a human sciences youth program that Hixson and Stephanie Hubert, senior instructor in the University of Arkansas Bumpers College, hosted in 2024.
Per the terms of the grant, a similar human sciences camp is scheduled to be offered at ATU-Ozark Campus in summer 2027.
