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Kiski Area S.T.R.E.A.M. Camp
Have you ever wanted to learn to think like an engineer? Well then, Kiski's one-week long S.T.R.E.A.M. summer camp would be perfect for you. There were two sessions of this camp offered this summer from July 25th to July 29th and another from August 1st to August 4th. The kids who participated had four days to use the scientific method to design and build a trap for an invasive species.
What is S.T.R.E.A.M.?
S.T.R.E.A.M. is the acronym for Science, Technology, Research, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics. S.T.R.E.A.M. is a great way to create synergy between different content areas in order to solve a problem. How did students incorporate these subjects to solve a real-world problem? Read on to find out.
Science & Research
The students who participated in this camp had to research what an invasive species is and learn all about them in order to complete the project. While researching, students chose the invasive species they would build a trap for and looked at the scientific facts about each animal to decide how best to capture it.
Technology & Engineering
After researching the science behind their invasive species, students had to design their traps. They imagined their traps, and then put their heads together to come up with an idea that would capture their critters with the resources they had at their disposal. Each group had a $20 budget to buy whatever materials they needed for their traps from Stanford's Home Center. Most traps had a moving part that would keep the animal inside, or trapped. After the traps were built the kids had to test their projects and improve them if needed.
Art & Mathematics
Before these traps could catch anything, they had to be built. The students used their knowledge of Mathematics to measure and build the traps they would produce. Then, the art aspect is incorporated to make the traps look like anything the students wanted them to. For example, one group glued magazines to their trap so it would blend into the alleyways they planned to hide it in to catch their urban pest.
Participant Thoughts
Now you know everything about the camp, but what about the students and teachers who participated in it?
Mrs. Thomas, the face of this camp, explained why this opportunity was being offered this summer. "Back in 2014 there were summer S.T.E.M. camps [at Kiski], and Mr. Swartzlander and Mr. Cardamone thought it would be a good idea to start them again. A lot of the kids seemed incredibly interested, and they were all well-behaved."
The other teachers who participated were Mrs. Rupert, Mrs. Plazio, Mr. Brunner, and Miss Rizzo, the Upper Elementary school counselor.
"The camp was a lot of fun, and it was interactive for the students," said Mrs. Rupert, a 7th grade science teacher. "The kids gave it their all and really got into their projects."
Mrs. Plazio, a 5th grade ELA teacher commented, "The kids were really excited when they built and examined their traps. They were fully engaged."
Miss Rizzo thought the kids enjoyed the camp thoroughly. "I thought it was a great opportunity for students to come in and get their brains ready for school."
This group designed their trap to look like The Crusty Crab from the popular show SpongeBob SquarePants.
The students who participated in this camp had a great time and took a lot away from it too. Olivia Sprajcar, a 5th grader, said, "I was a bit scared on the first day, but when I realized how fun it was, I wasn't nervous anymore. I would definitely come back."
6th grader Nathan Pencak thought the camp was fun as well. "I was really happy we got to build things. I would come back if they had another one."
Since the challenge was completed in teams, the students had to work collaboratively to produce the final product. The S.T.R.E.A.M camp created a fun way to incorporate everyone's strengths. Whether they are better at art or engineering, everyone can contribute and enjoy it. If this seems like the kind of activity you would enjoy taking part in, let the school know that you would like the program to be brought back next summer.
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