Science Camp Teachers are AWESOME!

The teachers that volunteer each year bring individual talents and strengths to the group.  I have some who are able to come back every year, and their experience improves camp each time.  They receive a full day of content training, in this case it was focused on using Arts in deliberate ways to teach STEM subjects.  They spend 4 long days with the camp kids and stay positive and flexible.  Then I ask them to come back and teach more than a hundred more kids at a community park activity.  They are awesome!  They do receive PD credit and other benefits, but I know their time and energy are taken so that many local kids can have a great experience!! 

CSI Science Camp Partnerships

This post will highlight the great partners that come out of the woodwork to help these kids have a positive experience.   We actually ran out of time this year to use all the volunteers in Burley, but we hope to get them involved in the Twin Falls camp later this summer. 

We had visits from the Burley Fire Department, ISU and Dr. Shropshire, Lynn Manning with his candy cannon, and Dale Dayley who taught us about fiber optics.  During the teacher training, we had Rob Mayer teach us about phonograph construction, John McClusky teach us about medical illustration, and Bettina Throckmorton helped us find our artistic side. 

I am so grateful we have talented and willing people in Mini-Cassia!

Burley Fire Department came for our favorite activity...Save Mr. Egg!

Dale Dayley presents to teachers and students about Fiber Optics

John McClusky presents on his work as a medical illustrator

Rob Mayer teachers about how to build a working phonograph with school supplies~!

CSI Science Camp 2015 - Full STEAM Ahead

Every year I think Science Camp can't get any better, and then it does!  According to one young student when he was asked, "What is your favorite part of Science Camp?", he said, :Ever-thing!"  Another fun comment came from my 6 year old nephew.  After 2 days at Junior Science Camp, he told his mom he wanted to be a chemical engineer.  You are WELCOME!

Our theme this year allowed us to spend more time on the creative process that is so critical in the STEM subjects.  On day 1, I saw the teachers taking that element and just making some amazing things happen.  In all the years that I have been doing film canister poppers, I never thought to add a little washable paint and launch them on paper.  The exploding art was awesome!

The kids have their favorites, like solar ovens and lava lamps.  So I am glad we choose to do some activities more than one year.  But the new activities were so fun to watch!  We used the brick lab and magnetos to build structures, then we put those designs and structures on solar paper to see the impressions left after some time.  Their 3D designs became 2D pieces of art.

I will post a few days in a row just to capture some of the best shots.  Thanks to CSI Community Education, Cassia and Minidoka School district teachers, the Burley Fire Department, Dale Dayley, and Dr. Steve Shropshire of ISU.  The laser show at the end was the perfect way to end a great week!!

Sneak Peak at the Science Camp Theme 2015

This is a great reminder that my grandmother was right.  Moderation in all things!  STEM must be balanced with creative pursuits, so full STEAM ahead!!

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/innovations/wp/2014/09/05/stem-is-incredibly-valuable-but-if-we-want-the-best-innovators-we-must-teach-the-arts/

Summer is a time for SCIENCE unplugged!!

I have been involved with some great activities with local kids this past week.  CSI Science Camp teachers hosted the Food, Fit, and Fun in the Park program for 130 kids and their parents in Burley.  The theme for the summer reading program is Fizz, Boom, Read, and we focused on Science and the Arts.  Our stations included da Vinci and his flying machine, colors, and the water cycle.  I appreciate the teachers and other sponsors like the 4H clubs and library volunteers.  It was a great day!

 

We made paper helicopters under a maple tree.  The samaras were great examples of perfectly adapted flyers in nature!  And they make great mustaches!