LV teen comes away from camp with enthusiasm for science

Rebecca Malone

Friday, Aug. 24, 2001 | 4:47 a.m.

Spending hours in a lab studying science is not something Ashley Christensen saw herself doing as a child, but now it is an activity she looks forward to.

"Throughout my four years of high school, I was lucky enough to have great science teachers," Christensen said. "I entered high school with no interest in science and left loving it."

Christensen graduated valedictorian from Centennial High School in May, and her anatomy teacher, Matt Aten, helped her get chosen to attend the monthlong 2001 National Youth Science Camp this summer.

"Mr. Aten was a huge influence my senior year," Christensen said. "He made me believe I could accomplish a lot more than I thought I could."

Christensen was one of two teens chosen to represent Nevada at the camp. For 38 years the national camp has allowed two high school graduates from each state attend each summer free of charge. The National Youth Science Foundation pays their fees.

The youth camp ran from June 29 to July 23 in the Monongahela National Forest in West Virginia. It combined science, outdoor, art and music activities to keep the teens interested and entertained.

"Every day at camp was a surprise," Christensen said. "All of the staff kept everything a secret until the last minute. Every day was something completely new and exciting."

Campers attended lectures and participated in outdoor activities and classes each day. The lectures covered various topics, including astronomy, engineering, physics, plant life, volcanoes and auroras. They also had doctors and researchers explaining new medical procedures to them.

"From these activities, I not only learned more about the medical field, which I am interested in, I also discovered that I am interested in many other things," Christensen said. "We were introduced to many new things. I tried activities that I would have never done in another case."

One of the new experiences Christensen was exposed to was crawling around in a cave for five hours, which became one of her favorite activities. She also participated in rock climbing, mountain biking, salsa dancing and swing dance.

Another aspect of the camp that Christensen enjoyed was getting to meet other people her age from around the country who shared her passion for science and related subjects.

"You meet two people from each state who have almost the same interests as you, and you leave with so much more knowledge in all areas," Christensen said. "This camp is an experience I will remember for the rest of my life."

Christensen's mother, Renee Christensen, said she was not surprised her daughter was chosen for the program or that she had such a great time, because she has always been very involved in school activities. If there was something she wanted to do, she would go achieve it, just like this camp, Renee Christensen said.

Christensen will attend the University of Nevada, Reno, this fall majoring in biochemistry and minoring in Spanish. She said she would eventually like to attend medical school and spend a few years traveling throughout Central America working in clinics.

"I feel like I am a more well-rounded person now," Christensen said. "This camp made me realize that there is more than science in life."