2024 LYL STEAM Summer Week 3

Week 3’s theme was Wild Wilderness

Since Week 3’s theme was “Wild Wilderness”, we did a ton of activities involving nature, wildlife, and the outdoors! Explorers (grades 1-3) collected leaves, sticks, & other pieces of nature outside for another project with Miss Len. We made rubbings of nature objects and then collaged them together. We also identified the different plants with the help of Google Lens!

Explorers making nature rubbings with leaves

Miss Len taught Nature Photography to the Investigators (grades 4-8). We learned about photography basics including the exposure triangle, composition, and camera safety before heading to Midtown Greenway to practice shooting with DSLRs and point & shoot cameras. Here are some of the awesome photos we got!

Photographs taken by Investigators using a DSLR camera

GMCC board member Erin Rupp, Founder and Executive Director of Pollinate MN, visited Explorers and Investigators again with her live bee colony and beekeeping suits that we got to try on!

Explorers putting on beekeeping suits

Miss Erin showing her bee colony to Investigators

We enjoyed learning about bee anatomy, different kinds of bees, and trying to spot the queen in the hive. We also taste-tested honey from different flowers – they were all unique & delicious!

Miss Erin teaching Explorers about different kinds of bees

Investigators trying different kinds of honey

Erin brought some wildflowers for us to inspect for pollen, and used them to teach us about pollination and the important role of pollinators in the environment.

Investigator using a magnifying glass to inspect a wildflower

“Thank you Miss Erin for bringing a queen bee! I’ve never seen one before!“ – Explorer

Our Friday field trip was to Phalen Park, where we spent the day rotating through various group activities with Wilderness Inquiry.

Investigators preparing to canoe

Groups took turns out on the lake to canoe. We raced each other and some of us even braved the rain while out on the water (but thankfully we had ponchos!)

Group canoeing on Phalen Lake

The Water Quality activity involved catching bugs in the water and taking a closer look to identify them. Staff gave us a helpful chart of common water insects local to Minnesota.

Explorers looking at the water insects they caught

Chart for identifying water insects

In the Beak Adaptation activity, we were given different tools including pliers, water droppers, tweezers, tongs, and ladles to simulate beaks. We rotated through stations where we were tasked to gather seeds, fish, marbles, and water, using these tools. We discussed why some tools were better than others for gathering certain foods and related that to the way birds evolve and adapt to their environment.

Guide helping a camper try to gather water with his tweezer tool

Campers working together to gather marbles with pliers

The arts and crafts station was a big hit with all the creative kids in our camp! We made some really cool animal/nature themed art to take home with us.