Photo by Brett Dunlap Chris Conner, the Program Coordinator for the Junior Scientists Program at the Ohio River Islands National Wildlife Refuge near Williamstown, shows a group of 20 people some of the things that can be seen on a microscope during the first day of the program Sunday.

WILLIAMSTOWN — Area kids will get to learn how scientists do their work during a program this summer near Williamstown.

Around 20 people, children (ages 12 and under) and parents, gathered Sunday at the Ohio River Islands National Wildlife Refuge near Williamstown to participate in the first session for the Junior Scientists program at the refuge.

Participants will learn about scientific methods, concepts and ideas through fun activities. The program is best suited for families with children ages 12 and under.

“We want to introduce kids to the scientific process, different fields of science and topics,” said the refuge’s Program Coordinator Chris Conner.

Sunday’s program dealt with understanding things that go beyond their normal senses and how scientists use tools like microscopes to enhance their senses to see what is really happening in the world, he said.

Photo by Brett Dunlap Around 20 people, children (ages 12 and under) and parents, gathered at the Ohio River Islands National Wildlife Refuge near Williamstown to participate in the first session for the Junior Scientists program. The aim of the program is to get kids interested in the sciences.

“We looked at things under the microscope and made note of the differences of the things we could see with our naked eye and what we could see under the microscope,” Conner said. “We will just explore.”

Conner is a recent graduate of Indiana University with a degree in Environmental Management. He is interning at the Refuge for the summer.

Officials were impressed with the turnout of people Sunday.

Conner gave each kid a small field journal where they can write down their observations of what they see and do. The kids got to see cockroaches, baby mussels, plant life and other things through the microscope.

“To explore these hidden attributes of the world, scientists have to use tools to enhance our senses,” Conner said. “The microscope allows us to see very small details in our environment.”

Darrell Sirmans and his family are fairly new to the Parkersburg area having moved about a year ago. He and his wife, Dalia, wanted something their daughter, Faith, 6, could be involved in. Faith just finished kindergarten at Criss Elementary School.

“This is educational and it is an activity she can do during the summer,” he said. “We are always looking for something for the little one to do.”

Callie Hogan, of Waverly, said her son, Jude, has participated in a number of activities available at the refuge.

“He is very into nature and enjoys getting to learn more than what I can teach him,” she said. “It is very good for him.

“I can’t take him to a lot of things during the week, but on the weekends it keeps him active and gets him outside. It is constructive for him.”

The kids then got to go out around the grounds of the refuge to find things to look at under the microscope.

“The plan is hopefully they will be inspired to explore the world around them,” Conner said. “We hope it will inspire some of them to go into a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) field.

“We want to basically get them interested in science and interested in figuring out things in the world around them.”

The Junior Scientists program will also be held 1-3 p.m. June 24, July 8 and 22, Aug. 5 and 19. If interest is maintained like it was Sunday, the refuge might make the event a weekly program.

The refuge will also be presenting other programs through the summer. They include:

* Birds of a Feather: A guided walk on one of the refuge’s trails where guests will learn to identify a wide range of bird species by sight and sound. All skill levels and photographers are welcome. Binoculars provided. Every Saturday from 8:30-11 a.m.

* Summer Safaris: Join Safari Phil on an adventure along the trails of the refuge in search of wildlife. Best suited for families with children ages 12 and under. Every Tuesday from 9-10:30 a.m.

* Crafts for Cubs: Bring your cubs to the refuge for story time and a fun craft they can take home with them. The program is 10 a.m.-noon June 23, July 7 and 21 and Aug. 4 and 18.

* Wild Ohio: Watch a staff member feed the fish and turtles and learn about the amazing biodiversity and natural history of the Ohio River every Saturday at 3 p.m.

* Nature Walks: Enjoy an educational guided walk around the trails of the refuge. Learn how we create and maintain habitat and what wildlife utilizes that habitat. The program is 9:30-11 a.m. every Sunday.

* Camp ORI: The refuge is holding a day camp for kids. Junior naturalists can come have a blast, make some awesome crafts, and learn about new wildlife every day of the camp. Suited for elementary-aged children. It will be 10 a.m.-2 p.m. July 30-Aug. 3. Camp ORI is free. There will be a time for lunch, but children need to bring their own lunch. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Please contact the refuge to register a child ahead of camp.

The refuge is open 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. daily.