STEM camps that ‘rocketed’ 2018

by perducoeducation

Recently, I wrote about a pretty awesome summer camp in St. Louis, Missouri, that used TETRIX® PRIMEBut it wasn’t just the robots having all the fun this summer. There were camps and workshops across the STEMosphere utilizing our hands-on, minds-on STEM products.

We have three educators who are totally excited to share their experiences and successes over the summer.

Custom-Made Camps

Cara Trost from Camp Mirage in Plymouth, Michigan, utilized our model airplanes, hot-air balloons, parachutes, rockets and gliders, and some other products in her camp this year.

“Pitsco helped design three of our summer STEM programs with age-appropriate projects. I gave them our budget and allotted time, and they chose a dozen exciting projects for our model rocket, build-it, and medieval times themed camp. . . . The kids really enjoyed the rockets and learning about wind direction. We also incorporated launch competitions and they loved it.”

What great ideas for camps! Variety and customization mean plenty of opportunities for personal creativity and to learn about the past. Sounds like a lot of purposeful fun was had!

Easy Prep Means Success with STEM

Steven Reese, the director of Camp Kilowatt in Goldsboro, North Carolina, and 10-year veteran, focused on our AP Rockets and Gliders. They were a big hit for the STEMers who attended the camp.

STEM-Camp-Glider-Rocket-1366-0818

“We had seven middle school camps this summer, and the workers stated how this was the best camp so far. The students had a great time with all the kits from Pitsco. . . . The kits are great for guiding the students through the various projects, and they learned so much. I was able to give a quick introduction to the facilitators before they started, and they had no problems the entire week.”

Preparation is key to a successful camp, from planning the activities to training the staff.

Teaching Teachers

Mary Haskins, a professor at Rockhurst University in Kansas City, Missouri, geared a summer science program and workshop toward elementary teachers called Teachers and Educators Advancing Missouri (TEAM). Hands on, minds on isn’t just for students. And from what we hear, the teachers enjoy them just as much as students do and have similar reactions.

The camp incorporated both of the straw rocket launchers we offer. After using both types of launchers, the teachers shared ideas about how how they could utilize them in the classroom.

STEM-camp-PD-teachers-rockets-1366-0818

According to Mary, “The teachers enthusiastically embraced both the mini launcher and the straw rocket launcher. They envisioned students hypothesizing, testing, and drawing conclusions as they explore the effect of angle on an object’s speed and distance. Graphing the data also allows students to authentically integrate math and science.”

Summer is a common time for professional development! And no better time than PD to explore and sample new ideas for the classroom and coming year.

Planning for Next Year

We love to hear your success stories. Drop us yours in a comment or shoot it to us via email.

And as the new school year begins, dare we say, it’s never too early to start thinking about what’s next. And we’d be honored to help you with your after-school program or camp. Pitsco can provide consultations for STEM solutions at every level. Just give us a shout.

And to get you started, we’ve put together two free resources! Download your guides today.

GET ROBOTICS GUIDE hbspt.cta._relativeUrls=true;hbspt.cta.load(2781691, 'ad303f14-9320-4d3f-8478-261b87962635', {"useNewLoader":"true","region":"na1"});

GET STEM GUIDE hbspt.cta._relativeUrls=true;hbspt.cta.load(2781691, '06355632-7cc1-47c0-b8c7-f7b5fe673c4f', {"useNewLoader":"true","region":"na1"});

 

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