2026 Meharry DNALC Summer Camp Application

Meharry Medical College DNA Learning Center Summer Camp Registration Form

Fill out the form carefully for registration. If you are registering more than one student, please complete an separate form for each.
Parent/Guardian Name

First NameLast Name
Parent/Guardian Email
example@example.com
Parent/Guardian Phone Number
Please enter a valid phone number.Format: (000) 000-0000.
Parent/Guardian Secondary Number
Please enter a valid phone number.Format: (000) 000-0000.
Student Name

First NameMiddle InitialLast Name
Gender
Birth Month
Birth Year
City
Zipcode
Grade entering in August 2026:
School entering in August 2026:
Does your child have a medical condition that our educators should know about?
If yes, please describe briefly: (if necessary, call 615-327-6035)
Does you child have an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) or a 504 Plan at school, or receive special support services?
If so, please describe:
(Although the DNALC cannot provide specialized support services, awareness of any special situations or diagnoses that might affect a camper’s ability to participate in classroom lab activities/ group work or interact with peers and educators, will be appreciated. This information will be kept confidential and will be utilized by our educators when planning.)

CAMP SELECTION

🧬 FUN WITH DNA 🧬

This camp is designed especially for highly motivated students interested in expanding their knowledge of basic genetics and cell biology. Students are immersed in an environment of hands-on activities and laboratory experiments designed to increase genetic literacy, encourage critical and creative thinking, and spark interest in the field of biotechnology.

Students will:
- construct cell and DNA models;
- use compound microscopes to view various cell types;
- extract DNA from their own cells and from plants;
- use stereo microscopes to observe mutations in fruit flies; and
- genetically engineer bacteria cells with firefly genes.
Details:
Entering grades 6-8
Monday to Thursday 9:30am-4pm, Parent Day Friday, 9:30-12:00pm
Tuition is $600 per student before any discounts are applied

🔬🧪 DNA BARCODING 🧬🔬

DNA barcoding projects allow students to link molecular genetics to ecology and evolution - with the potential to contribute new scientific knowledge about biodiversity, conservation biology, and human effects on the environment.

Students will:
- extract and amplify DNA from tissue samples;
- use web-based bioinformatic tools to analyze DNA sequences and identify species of origin;
- create phylogenetic trees to display genetic and evolutionary relationships;
- use building blocks to model how polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is used to amplify DNA barcodes; and
- complete an open-ended project to investigate food fraud or study biodiversity.
Details:
Entering grades 9–12
Monday to Friday 9:30am-4:00pm
Tuition is $700 per student before any discounts are applied
Click on the camp of your choice
- A limited number of scholarships are available upon request to students who have financial need and are able to provide a recommendation from a school representative.
- Our household income bracket is:
- After submitting your application, you will receive a link to the Scholarship Request Portal where you will upload income verification and request a school representative endorsement.

Permission to Survey Campers
At the end of each camp we will administer post-camp surveys to better understand the DNALC camp experience. Participation is voluntary, and your child also has the right to refuse to participate in the survey. Campers will not be personally identified in the surveys, and your decision about whether or not to allow your child to participate will not impact their participation in the camp. The data will be used to refine the program and learn more about the impact of our camps. Questions about this survey should be directed to dnalearningcenter@mmc.edu.
I consent to my child participating in this camp survey. I understand that this participation is entirely voluntary and that any data collected will not identify my child in any way.
Photo/Media Permission
Throughout the summer, DNALC staff members document our camp program by taking photographs and video of camp activities (including Parent Day) for use by the DNALC/MMC in communications including flyer, brochures, email, websites, and social media.
Please indicate whether you grant/do not grant the DNALC to use photographs/video of your child/yourself in publication for the DNALC/Meharry Medical College.

Application Cancellation/Changes

All cancellation requests for paid applications must be in writing (email) include camper's name, camp, camp date, and signed by parent or guardian.

To request cancellation by email, write to dnalearningcenter@mmc.edu.

To be eligible for a refund, cancellation requests must be received by the DNA Learning Center a minimum of two weeks (14 days) prior to the session start date - with no exceptions. You will receive confirmation of your cancellation.

It is understood that no credit will be given for absences or withdrawals.

The DNALC reserves the right to cancel any session due to insufficient enrollment or other unforeseen circumstance.

For the general welfare of all campers, the DNALC reserves the unrestricted right to dismiss any camper whose conduct or influence, in the opinion of the Director, is detrimental to the best interests of the camp.
Please indicate that you agree:
Name of Parent/Guardian:
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Meharry Medical College DNA Learning Center Summer Camp Registration Form

Permission to Survey Campers

Photo/Media Permission