About Us

Buckeye Women in Science, Engineering, and Research (B-WISER)

Founded in 1990, B-WISER has inspired and empowered thousands of young women to pursue science courses and STEM degrees. The next camp session will take place from June 15–20, 2026 on The College of Wooster campus in Wooster, Ohio.

The B-WISER Science Camp is a premier residential program for teenage girls who are interested in STEM fields. We enroll students from across the state and beyond. Campers participate in daily courses featuring full laboratory experiences designed to strengthen their skills in a wide range of scientific disciplines. Participants stay overnight in college dorms and utilize campus laboratory facilities. B-WISER welcomes new participants currently in 7th or 8th grade to register for the Middle School camp. And girls in 9th or 10th grade this academic year are invited to register for the High School science camp.

Students take a full daily curriculum lead by engaging instructors. Middle school camp classes include physics, chemistry, biology, geology, robot construction, and select advanced topics. High school classes cover more advanced topics such as microbiology, neuropsychology, computer programming, radiation, forensic chemistry, astronomy, and botany. Students collaborate as they collect, analyze, and interpret their data. This cooperative learning experience builds self-confidence and inspires campers to pursue their passions in science and technology. Middle schoolers meet professional women in science who share their experiences across a wide range of disciplines, while high school campers participate in college-readiness seminars. In the evenings, all campers enjoy additional hands-on STEM programs covering various topics. View a sample daily schedule.

B-WISER seeks to be an affordable opportunity for every interested student. Students who qualify for the free and reduced school meals program may be eligible for scholarship funds to help reduce costs. Please visit the Program pages to view pricing details and to register for the 2026 camp session.

The B-WISER Science Camp is a non-profit organization in association with The College of Wooster. We rely on the support of prior participants, community members, and grant funding to maintain program quality and accessibility. Please consider making a contribution by visiting our Donation Page. Your support helps us to continue offering meaningful STEM experiences to future generations.

Goals, Objectives, Outcomes

The mission of The College of Wooster B-WISER Science Camp for teen girls is to encourage this underrepresented demographic to pursue their interests in science throughout their education and career path by surrounding campers with like-minded peers, engaging them in hands-on experiments in a broad range of scientific disciplines, and introducing them to women role models in diverse scientific careers.

Goals and learning objectives for B-WISER participants:

  • Enhance your excitement, interest, and motivation to learn about phenomena in the natural and physical world;
  • Build confidence in your own ability to generate and understand concepts in science;
  • Participate in scientific investigations and learning practices with others, using scientific language and tools;
  • Learn more about how to pursue a science-related career; and
  • Further your own science education.

Objectives of the B-WISER summer science camp:

  • Provide fun hands-on laboratory experiments and demonstrations designed to pique interest;
  • Offer collaborative science classes which require campers to work with scientific equipment and draw conclusions from their data;
  • Provide numerous opportunities for girls to utilize methods of scientific investigation;
  • Introduce students to experienced and successful women working in STEM fields; and
  • Encourage and empower campers, who are underrepresented in STEM fields, to pursue their interests in science.

Outcomes for B-WISER campers:

  • Increase self-confidence and interest in science;
  • Enroll in STEM classes in high school and beyond;
  • Broaden knowledge of STEM-related professions; and
  • Meet and connect with other women in science.

Highlights of Camper Surveys

Sample TESTIMONIALS from prior campers:

“I LOVED B-WISER camp! I learned so much about many different areas of science, and I had so much fun! I also made really strong friendships bonding over science.”

“My experience at camp was very fun. I was shy and didn’t know anyone at camp, but the counselors helped me feel at home, and I was able to step out of my comfort zone, make new friends, and discover the fun in science!”

“This camp has truly inspired me to go to college and pursue a degree of science. The friendships and connections I have made through this camp have been so beneficial for me. This camp made me who I am and every young girl in stem should have this experience!”

“I loved B-WISER and still remember everything I accomplished. Throughout middle school, I attended three different science camps, and I’d have to say that B-WISER was my favorite.”

“This camp really opened me up to all of the possibilities that I could have with a science career! I’m planning on getting my doctorate degree in audiology!”

Surveys of the most recent campers reveal that B-WISER does well at meeting its short-term objectives.  Summer 2025 campers showed increased confidence in and understanding of science, rating their knowledge of various scientific topics an average of 1.1 point higher at the end of the camp on a 5-point scale.  Camper surveys also show gains in knowledge of science-related careers and increased confidence to explore unfamiliar areas of science. When surveyed about how well B-WISER camp met specific goals, campers gave an average score of 4.3 out of 5, and the overall score for satisfaction with their B-WISER experience was 4.5 out of 5, with 100% recommending the program.

Surveys of campers 5, 10, & 15 years after participating in B-WISER also reflect the long-term success of the program.  On average, B-WISER participants took 2 more science classes than the typical high school student, with 73% of camp alumnae indicating that B-WISER had a significant impact on which courses they have taken. 90% received bachelor’s degrees, with 78% majoring in STEM fields.  After 15 years, approximate 60% are working and/or continuing education in science. 

Sponsors

We would like to acknowledge and thank our supporters:

B-WISER is an educational partnership made possible by the financial support of The College of Wooster, the Martha Holden Jennings Foundation, and the Ardelle and Theresa Glaze Foundation.

Additional funding for scholarships contributed by the Noble Foundation, the American Chemical Society Section #223, a bequest from B-WISER founder Dr. Lois Cook, and the Kathryn Rieder Fund.

We also want to thank the individuals and institutions who volunteer their time to participate in B-WISER camp, including The J.M. Smucker Company, Holden Forests & Gardens, Scheffler Transmission Systems, Wiley Companies, and The Lubrizol Corporation.