Reported by Elissa Song
From the 21st of June to the 27th of June, 2026, AYLUS Lake Washington branch members Elissa Song and Anthony Cao (TA) hosted a week-long AP/Honors Biology Summer Camp for middle and high school students. The camp offered an enriching educational experience, helping students explore advanced concepts in biology and introductory concepts to chemistry based off of the typical Advanced Placement curriculum. During each session of the camp our team members served as instructors, provided homework support, answered student questions, dedicated time to reviewing and correcting assignments, and corresponded with parents about camp information or sending them slides and videos. Over the course of seven sessions, participants engaged with core topics that are essential for scoring well on the AP exam, and also learned how to answer AP-style biology practice problems.
Day 2: Cell Structure/Function (June 22)
Students learned about various cellular structures, organelles, processes, and their functions. We covered cell size, cell compartmentalization, the endosymbiotic theory, differences between prokaryotes vs. eukaryotes, structure and function of various organelles (endomembrane system, energy organelles, specialized organelles), properties of the cell membrane (fluid mosaic model, semi-permeability), and membrane transport (active/passive transport, water potential, endo/exocytosis, hyper/hypo/isotonic). We were able to teach students how cells were built and how they responded to their environment, and did some AP practice problems.
Volunteer hours:
Elissa Song: 3.5 hrs
Anthony Cao: 2.5 hrs
