2018 Thursday, Day 3

Today was bursting with Cyclone adventures and STEM excitement. We tested the boats we engineered yesterday, built robots, used forensic science to investigate crimes, and finished the day with a series of experiments.

Red group started the morning with forensic scientists. They searched through bags of mystery items and used statistics to predict the number of items in each bag. Students were amazed at how close they were able to get with only seeing small samples from each bag. Forensic science uses statistics to make predictions and determine the probability of those predictions. Like the Gold group yesterday, the Red group also made finger prints and shoe prints to help them solve silly crimes made using Mad Lips. Thanks again to CSAFE for their hard work and great activities.

Gold group spent the morning with Dr. Mollie Appelgate and LEGO robotics. Students learned how to build a robot using LEGOS and customized them for the tasks ahead. Teams used coding like engineers and computer programmers to break down steps and be very precise in their instructions to the robots. They did this through providing instructions (codes) on the computer and sending them to their robots through a cord. Teams attempted to complete as many mazes and challenges as possible with the LEGO robots they built. Several teams were able to code their robots successfully through more than three stations. That is awesome!

A pizza lunch was provided with grapes, carrots, and snack cakes for dessert. After two days, so many campers have formed new friendships and solidified existing friendships. Lunch is the best time to chat, listen to music, tell stories, and enjoy those friendships.

Our afternoon started with building and testing the boat created yesterday in DESCARTES. Students used foam board and marine tape to build the hull of their boats. Once the boats were assembled, teams tested their buoyancy and speed. There were some very creative and speedy designs.

The second part of our afternoon was spent completing several mini STEM experiences including making bouncy balls and bath bombs. Students learned about how polymers form through chemical reactions and link together to make bouncy balls. This is a similar process to making slime but difference proportions and processes. Like the bouncy balls, chemical reactions are the reason for the fizzing of bath bombs. Students used common kitchen supplies to create bath bombs to take home. We encouraged them to share with family, friends, and indulge themselves.

Every year we end STEM InCYte with a bang. By adding hot water to the extremely cold liquid nitrogen, we form a cloud INSIDE. It is always an exciting moment!

We are so grateful you chose to share your kids with us. The joy and privilege of spending a week with your children is not lost on us. Thank you for raising wonderful, energetic, passionate children who give us all hope for the future. We are already sad that STEM InCYte Camp 2018 is over. We hope to see you next June for 2019 STEM InCYte Camp!