Camp xSEL 2022
The 2022 Camp xSEL marked a significant transition as the second iteration of the program, shifting focus from pre-medical and pre-clinical students already admitted to the University of Liberia or medical school to welcoming 11th and 12th-grade students from across Liberia. This change aimed to identify students with strong aptitude in the sciences while ensuring equitable representation from all 15 counties, maintaining a 50/50 gender balance and equal distribution between Grades 11 and 12.
To implement this transition, several new objectives were introduced:
• Establish official collaborations with the Ministry of Education (MOE) and the Ministry of Gender, Children, and Social Protection (MOGCSP).
• Design a recruitment process to select a cohort of 100 high-performing high school students with an interest in health sciences.
• Engage secondary school science teachers as Co-Instructors to enhance teaching quality and learning outcomes.
Planning for the camp began in February 2022, culminating in its execution at Liberia Baptist Theological Seminary from August 8 to 31, 2022 (with students arriving as early as August 4 and departing as late as September 2). Notably, the camp started one month earlier than originally planned due to adjustments in the Ministry of Education’s academic calendar.
The implementation was led by the Camp xSEL team, which included the CTLI Senior Deputy Director (Faculty and Student Learning), CTLI Deputy Director (Student Pipeline), Senior Coordinator (Faculty and Student Learning), and MEL Officer. The planning phase involved outreach to the MOE, which took longer than anticipated but ultimately proved successful. Collaboration with the MOE was a critical factor for the recruitment of campers and Co-Instructors, while the MOGCSP played a key role in safeguarding policies, supported by the U.S. Peace Corps team. The recruitment of 100 campers followed a rigorous four-step process endorsed by the MOE, ensuring a fair and transparent selection process. This process confirmed that students recommended by school administrators to the CEO had high grades in the sciences, and the final selection aligned with the project's objectives for social inclusion. Recruitment began on June 29, 2022, across all counties, ensuring balanced gender and grade representation, with recruitment tests and interviews conducted to select the most qualified students.
Key collaborations with the MOE and MOGCSP were critical to the camp’s success. The MOE assisted with the recruitment process, while MOGCSP provided guidance on safeguarding policies. Additionally, the U.S. Peace Corps team contributed valuable input to these efforts.
Campers engaged in core courses in Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, and English, utilizing a team-teaching approach that combined Lead and Co-Instructors. Classes were held from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM, with instructional periods adjusted to 60 minutes after the first week to mitigate student fatigue. Despite limited lab equipment, lab activities were creatively facilitated. Participants also took part in critical thinking exercises, debates, quiz competitions, a talent show, and sports activities. Guest speakers from various professional fields inspired students with their career journeys, while workshops on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Public Health further enriched the camp experience.
