Science camps are designed to immerse children, entering grades 2-6, in science and problem solving. Before- and after-camp latchkey is available. There is a Science EXPO for parents each Friday at 11:30 AM.
Camp Immersion: In most camps there will be a field trip. The latest brain science teaches us that immersion in the topic being studied helps to cement new learning in the brain. For some trips, half-day students will stay for the afternoon on that day. Check class descriptions.
DOWNLOAD THE COURSEBOOK, REGISTRATION, INFO
- Summer Science Camp course book and registration form
- Scholarship Packet (Please note; a limited number of scholarships are available).
1D. STEAM Goes Green: Where engineering and green science meet
July 8-12, 9 AM – Noon or 9 AM – 3 PM Extended hours: 7:30 AM – 6 PM T
The Deep Sea: Learn everything about the Deep Sea. Start with determining saltwater density and making the layers of the ocean. Try your hand at shark buoyancy and learn why whales stay warm. Can you make a tide pool?
Chemical Reactions: Why is the Statue of Liberty green? Find out by experimenting with a penny. Clean pennies by testing different substances. Does hot or cold water travel faster? Participate in the walking water experiment.
Everything Outside: Spend the day outside learning about everything STEAM and Green. Start with solar s’mores and create a dirt battery. Make a human sundial and ice volcanoes. Check out your very own ecosystem and meet the tiniest critters.
Environmental Engineering: First, test your hand-made water filter and make a cloud in a jar. Can you make a wind turbine of your own design? Make a power boat out of recycled and natural materials. How fast can it go?
The “A” in STEAM…stands for the Arts. Immerse yourself in projects made from found items and represent artistically all that you’ve learned. Immersion: On Wednesday, visit Green Living Science, a recycling center. Then experience an art park made of recyclables. Finally, experience a hands-on activity related to conserving our resources. Half-day students are picked up at 3:00 pm.
Parents, join us for a STEAMY Green Science EXPO on Friday at 11:30 AM.
2D. Microscopic Mysteries Seeing what you can’t see
July 22-29, 9 AM – Noon or 9 AM – 3 PM Extended hours: 7:30 AM – 6 PM
Kitchen Chemistry: Start with what’s found in your kitchen to experiment with chemical reactions. Test foods for glucose and starch and make a Mentos geyser. Watch how nonflammable gases can make a candle go out!
Magical Crystals: Amazingly-shaped crystals are fascinating to observe and grow. Make a crystal snowflake, sheet crystal, and even crystals from borax and Epsom salts. They are beautiful!
Microscopic Mites: Take a break from the physical world and look into the world of the tiniest plants and animals with a microscope. Magnify the miniature microscopic green machine. Learn about cells, algae, and slithering paramecia.
Lemon Science: Make fizzy lemon soda and write in invisible ink. Inflate a balloon using lemon juice. Can you make exploding lemon juice? Sweeten up the day with lemon bars to learn about chemical reactions.
Mysteries all Around: Make a bouncy ball out of borax. Study conductors while you experiment with food-powered and regular batteries. Can you light up the circuit? Then make plastic bag ice cream while studying moving molecules. I
mmersion: On Wednesday, visit Stony Creek Metropark to study “Life in a Pond” as you learn about life cycles in a vernal pond. Get up close with a microscope and find out why these critters are important to people. Half-day students are picked up at 3 pm. Parents, please join in the fun at the Microscopic Mysteries EXPO on Friday at 11:30 am.
3D. Phun Physics Crash! Boom! and gravity, too
July 22-26, 9 AM – Noon or 9 AM – 3 PM Extended hours: 7:30 AM – 6:00 PM
Faster than the Speed of Light: Try your hand at creating a parachute that can withstand a drop-off collision. Will your egg break? Build a crash test car and protect your egg! Can you build a sail car? What makes it go faster?
All Fall Down: The force of gravity pulls you down. Experiment with the floating ball, a spinning bucket and the clown that won’t lie down. Make craters and learn about falling meteorites. Fall head over heels for gravity fun!
Let’s Energize: Explore circuits, batteries and wires to create electric mischief! Make a potato-powered light circuit and experiment with other fruits. Try your hand at circuit boards as you solve problems and move on to harder ones. This is one electrifying class you won’t want to miss.
Simple Machines: Using specialized LEGOs, experiment with gears, wheels, axles, levers and pulleys. Then move on to create your own machines using levers, pulleys and more. Can you lift a heavy weight higher than your head? Can you lift someone twice your size?
Immersion: On Wednesday, travel to Impression 5 Science Center in Lansing to experience the hands-on exhibits. Explore Force & Motion, and try your hand at moving a 500-pound block of concrete! Half-day students are picked up at 3 pm.
Parents, join us on Friday at 11:30 am for the Physics EXPO
4D. Robotics in Motion (All New Robots and LEGOs)
July 29 – August 2 9 AM – Noon or 9 AM – 3 PM Extended hours: 7:30 AM – 6:00 PM \
Start with the Basics: Using LEGOs, experiment with simple and powered machines. Then go high-tech with pumps, tubes, cylinders, valves, and a manometer while you build four real-life pneumatic models.
Meet Dash: All new this year, meet the robot Dash. Program it using Blockly programming language. This robot can make sounds to avoid obstacles and respond to voice commands. It can sense sound and know where it’s coming from. Record sounds on your iPad and Dash will play them back.
Meet Dot: Experience hundreds of coding adventures and projects. First, program Dot’s lights, sounds, and sensors, and watch Dot come to life. An infrared sensor allows it to communicate with Dash. Turn Dot into an energetic alarm clock, a flying spaceship, and even a humorous fortune teller.
LEGO Favorites: Experience LEGO robotics for the first time or ask to complete favorites from previous camps. Using LEGO WeDo 2.0 try your hand at these new projects: How do you make a faster car? Can you predict future motion? Can you create a wildlife prototype that will allow an endangered species to cross a hazardous area?Do-It-Yourself Robots: And finally, build some just-for-fun robots using recyclable items. What can you build? Parents, join us for the Robotics EXPO on Friday at 11:30 AM.
Do-It-Yourself Robots: And finally, build some just-for-fun robots using recyclable items. What can you build? Parents, join us for the Robotics EXPO on Friday at 11:30 AM.
5D. Power of Engineering: Think Like an Engineer
Aug. 5-9, 9 AM – Noon or 9 AM – 3 PM Extended hours: 7:30 AM – 6 PM
Take it Apart and Invent: Disassemble electronic devices. How do they work? Investigate while taking things apart. Then create your own. Build a prototype of your invention for the Engineering EXPO on the last day.
Paper is Power: Take the five paper sculpture challenges. Using paper can you build a table that will hold five books? What is the tallest structure you can build? Complete the rest of the challenges to receive the Paper Power award.
Surprising Structures that Bridge the Gap: Learn bridge-building basics and put your knowledge to work as you explore amazing arches, beam bridges, suspension bridges and bridges that move. Build a cofferdam, control floods and see how science and creativity merge together.
Engineering Design: What can you design? It takes trial and error. Build a roller coaster – longer, faster. Can you build a structure that will balance on your nose? Finally, try some designs to build a snack mix machine.
Immersion: On Wednesday, travel to the Michigan Science Center. Experience the STEM Playground and become an engineer as you walk the 80-foot Mini Mac Bridge and work the U.S. Steel Fun Factory. Finish the day with a visit to the Toyota Engineering 4D Theater. Half-day students are picked up at 3:00 pm.
Parents, join us for an Engineering EXPO at 11:30 AM on Friday.
