As the university prepares for a new academic year, the School of Arts and Sciences (SoAS) rolled out a series of interdisciplinary summer camps designed to offer students a university-level experience and prepare them for a potential education toward their chosen major at LAU.

The camps took place over the course of five days, from July 1 to 5, and were dispersed across different buildings on both the Beirut and Byblos campuses.

Attendance this year surpassed last year’s figures, with more than 100 Grades 10 and 11 participants from schools across Lebanon. Upon completion and assessment of the camp content and participation, students could earn scholarships covering up to 30 percent of their tuition.

This year, 21 students were rewarded for their performance and commitment with scholarships that corresponded to the specific camps they participated in.

In line with its commitment to social engagement and outreach, the school reintroduced three popular summer camps this year, mathematics, public speaking and creative writing, in addition to the chemistry and food science and nutrition camps that take place almost annually.

The structure of this year’s camps was put together by faculty members at the school with two goals in mind: to equip students with practical skills and knowledge that are directly relevant to their prospective careers, and to make the experience as profound as possible.

“I would go as far as to say that the summer camps of 2024 have been some of, if not the most organized camps we’ve had to date,” said Assistant Dean and Associate Professor Robin Taleb, who oversaw their planning. “Not only that, but the content they brought in terms of knowledge and learning was truly impressive.”

For instance, the chemistry camp, which took place on both campuses, offered hands-on laboratory experience where students got to work with advanced chemical instrumentation and conduct multiple experiments. This sort of engagement is crucial for careers in scientific research, medicine, pharmaceutical and industrial processes, noted Assistant Professor Elias Akoury.

By providing an understanding of the real-world applications of chemistry, students felt more prepared for the challenges of university-level science courses as well as scientific inquiry and industry practices.

Similarly, the nutrition and food science camp in Beirut included workshops and informative lectures on the roles of nutrients and principles of food processing with emphasis on the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), thereby offering a comprehensive understanding of the field through evidence-based practices and critical thinking.

“The collaborative environment within the camp really prepared us for success in both academic and professional settings,” said high-school student Leen Moussa, who won a 30-percent scholarship for her active involvement in the camp. ”This knowledge is important for careers in dietetics, nutrition and the food industry.”

In the creative writing camp, students were encouraged to develop their literary skills and storytelling abilities by writing non-fiction and fiction pieces inspired by personal experiences, so that they may appreciate the iterative process of writing and build their confidence in articulating their ideas.

“These competencies are beneficial for both academic success and professional communication, and are crucial for careers in journalism, publishing and any field requiring strong communication abilities,” said Instructor Nayiri Baboudjian. “I was happy to see the students feel a sense of catharsis and safety in expressing themselves at our university and can only hope that they get to experience that daily when they enroll.”

Participants in the public speaking camp—which had the highest number of students—were trained in persuasive communication and effective presentation techniques for careers involving public interaction.

By mastering persuasive speaking and learning to manage stage fright, said senior instructors Hala Daouk and Dana Eido in a joint statement, students became more confident and articulate speakers. “These skills are highly needed in university settings, where presentations and group discussions are frequent, and in professional environments where effective communication is key to leadership and success,” they added.

Student Roy Anthony Mawad, who also won a 30-percent scholarship, particularly enjoyed speaking and connecting with people in an age mostly dominated by artificial intelligence where human interaction is minimal, he said. “Developing my soft skills both practically and theoretically has pushed me to go beyond what I thought I could do,” he added.

Over at the mathematics camp, the instructors introduced students to complex numbers and their applications and guided them through analytical theories and problem-solving skills.

In addition to these foundational skills for careers in engineering, finance, technology and quantitative analysis, “exploring advanced mathematical concepts and their practical applications helped develop the students’ understanding of the subject’s relevance to various fields in the industry,” said mathematics graduate Hedi Jaza (BS ’24), who helped give courses to the students alongside President of the Mathematics Club Mahabba El Sahili.

“We also wanted to make math entertaining,” El Sahili said, “and teach everyone how to approach the subject in ways that they wouldn’t otherwise learn at school.”

In a fitting end to a series of enriching educational experiences, the camps concluded with an awards ceremony at the Adnan Kassar School of Business, attended by the camp participants and faculty members.