STEM Camp 2014

Overview
Program
People
Daily Schedule
Fees
Reserve a Spot

Overview

STEM (Science Technology Engineering and Math) Camp is a small summer program for rising 5th and 6th graders who love to learn about science and engineering through hands-on projects. It runs from June 30th – August 15th, 2014.

Students will explore concepts in science and engineering through a variety of projects. Each day will include time for a morning and afternoon work and an hour of sports just after lunch. In addition to learning through building and iterating, students will be encouraged and trained to document and reflect on their work and learning. The program was conceived and is organized by Rachael Burger, mother of Mohan (a rising 5th grader) who will participate in camp, and is run by talented instructor Chris Hamblin. Chris will be joined by Sarah Glass and several special guests.

Program

Week 1: Flying Machines (Part I) (June 30th – July 3rd)

There are a wide varieties of vehicles we use to get around, but none are more spectacular than flying machines! This unit focuses on vehicles that move by utilizing the fluid that they are in. We will learn about propulsion by launching rockets, fluid dynamics by making model airplanes, and buoyancy via submersibles, boats, and hot air balloons. Everyone will leave with a lot of toys to bring home! Projects include: Submarines, Ripchord Chopper, Sky Lantern, Parachutes, Pop Rockets, Soda Bottle Rockets, Model Rockets, Model Airplanes.

Week 2: Flying Machines (Part II) (July 7 – 11)

This is a second week (but not a repeat) of Flying Machines (see above). This is such an exciting topic that we had to spend two weeks on it. Children are welcome to attend for both or either week.

Week 3: Civil Engineering (July 14 – 18) — almost full

This unit explores the world of a civil engineer, who is concerned with the construction of stable, unmoving structures, such as roads, bridges, and buildings. Expect a week full of healthy design competition, beautiful structures, and a lot of destruction! Projects include: Cement Structures, Material Strength, Egg Drop, Acoustic Room, Bridges, Earthquakes, Balsa Towers, Newspaper Towers.

Week 4: Harnessing Energy (July 21 – 25) — almost full

A huge amount of time, money, and intellectual effort in the modern age is focused on developing energy efficient, ecologically friendly technologies and power sources. What makes a system energy efficient? What are the various ways we can harness energy and manipulate its form towards our own ends? This unit is rich with ideas at the heart of engineering and physics, ideas that will be put to good use and synthesized in modeling energy efficient houses. Projects include: Water Wheel, Insulators, Solar Cooker, Green Houses, Pumps, Daylighting Design, Water Heating Efficiency, Eco House.

Week 5: Electricity (July 28 – August 1)

Electricity plays a major role in so many of the tools we use: powering our lights, computers, refrigerators, ovens, and soon even our cars. This unit will demonstrate how electricity and magnetism can be used to transfer energy and information. Students will leave with a new understanding of how all the seemingly magical devices of the modern world really work. Projects: Flashlights, Batteries, Potato Power, Electric Motors, Hand Crank Generator, Speakers, AM Radio.

Week 6: Bio/Outdoor Engineering (August 4 – 8)

What can biological systems teach us about engineering? What can engineering teach us about biological systems? This unit will explore the machines of the natural world- from microorganisms to a machine we are all very familiar with- the human body. At the end of the week well get some help from an eagle scout and learn how engineering applies to wilderness survival. Projects include: BioDomes, Biomimicry, Acids and Bases, Chemistry Food Testing, Camping Stove, Shelter, Building a Fire.

Week 7: Kinetic Machines (August 11 – 15)

This unit is focused on the work done by mechanical engineers. In contrast to civil engineers, who are interested in structures that stand still, mechanical engineers are concerned with moving parts. How can we control how mechanical energy moves through a system? Our study of simple machines will culminate in the construction of Rube Goldberg machines! Projects include: Simple Machines, Catapults, Rube Goldberg Machines.

Sample Daily Schedule

9:00 – 9:30 Morning Work/Warm-Up
9:30 – 11:30 Morning Project
11:30 – 12:00 Lunch
12:00 – 1:00 Sports
1:00 – 3:00 Afternoon Project

People

Rachael Burger, Organizer

Rachael is the mother of a boy who loves to make things and loves science. She has a BA from Harvard, did grad work at MIT, and has a diverse professional background which has included managing software engineers, working at a variety of startups, writing and editing, building websites, and training real estate agents and members of the public on real estate topics. As a parent at the Fayerweather Street School, she has been actively involved in her son’s education and has served on the Parent’s Association, worked with the Child Abuse Prevention Program and on a variety of events and currently serves as Board Treasurer.

Chris Hamblin, Head Instructor

Hi, my name is Chris, and I will be the head instructor at this summer’s STEM camp! I am currently a rising senior at Tufts University studying mathematics and philosophy. I have always had an avid interest in physics and engineering, an interest inspired by my father, Michael, who is currently a physics teacher and robotics team coach at Concord Carlisle High School. Subsequently, I had a childhood full of guided experimentation and tinkering- model rockets, planes, and cars, wooden structures, tree houses, rafts, launchers, whittling, disassembling electronic and mechanical gadgetry, building speakers and stereos, etc. In High School I pursued a variety of extracurricular activities; soccer, volleyball, musical theater, and jazz band, in which I played piano, keyboards, and sang. Upon entering College, I studied mechanical engineering for one year before switching to mathematics and philosophy, and maintained an active interest in Volleyball and Jazz piano. Recently I have developed a passion for hiking and camping, and I am spending this spring semester abroad at University of Edinburgh largely as an outlet to backpack in the Scottish Highlands, the French Alps, Ireland and Iceland. I’m looking forward to teaching kids with a genuine curiosity as to how the physical world works, and engaging that world in a hands-on way. That said, I am quite willing to entertain any interests my campers bring to the table. This camp is for them, and all interests are worth pursuing. Hopefully we can have a lot of fun!

Sarah Glass, Instructor

Hi! My name is Sarah Glass, and I am excited to be this summer’s assistant instructor at STEM camp! I just graduated from Tufts University with a clinical psychology major and a music minor. I couldn’t be happier to have a job as a teacher this summer, as my interest in education has been growing steadily over the past year. In the fall I interned at the Kennedy elementary school in Somerville, before leaving in January to study global health in India, Argentina, and South Africa. The experience has brought the importance of a rich education into much sharper focus, especially programs like Dehat program in Uttar Pradesh. During my Sophomore through Senior year of High school, long before these recent experiences, I started a tutoring program at the Vista Verde Elementary School in California. The program is stilling running today, helping students in grades k-8. Working with kids has always been very rewarding for me, and I can’t wait to get back to the States and do it again!

Fees

$325 per week (except for week 1, which is 4 days, for which fees will be $260).

STEM camp is run on a non-profit basis. Fees cover salaries, rent, and administrative costs. Should any excess exist at the end of the summer, we’ll be in touch and parents/guardians can have their portion of fees refunded.

Reserve a Spot

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