Week 4’s theme was Spectacular Space
Week 4’s theme was “Spectacular Space”! This week’s activities were centered on the solar system, science, & technology!
3M Visiting Wizard showing Explorers magnets
We started off the week with the 3M Visiting Wizards and their “Toys in Space” demonstration.
Investigators watching a video of a toy car in space
Both groups got to watch videos of real astronauts in space experimenting with the physics of different toys in anti-gravity.
Explorers demonstrating how balls move on Earth
Then, we got to play with the toys in real life and compare how they move with Earth’s gravity.
Investigators balancing a gyroscope on a tightrope
“This is SO cool!” – Investigator about the gyroscope
Explorers made cup rockets with Apprentice Guide Ms. Bris.
Explorers decorating their cups
They decorated paper cups with markers then put together the rockets with rubber bands.
Explorer with his cup rocket
We even had some kind Investigators help with the activity!
Ms. Bris, Mr. Mohamed, and Investigators handing out materials for cup rockets
Investigators did more photography with Len. They learned about long exposure photography and saw cool examples.
Light painting made with glow sticks and fiber optic wands
Then, they got to practice the technique by doing light painting photography, allowing them to draw and write with light.
Light painting using a flashlight
They picked from a variety of light sources: flashlights, glow sticks, fiber optic wands, and string lights.
Light painting using bundled string lights
“Can we skip lunch and keep doing this?” – Investigator doing light painting
Light painting of a smiley face made with a flashlight
Explorers also did art with Len, and got to create their own planets, drawing inspiration from the real planets.
Explorer coloring the solar system
They filled out sheets with information about their planets like the temperature, natural resources, and inhabitants.
An Explorer’s completed worksheet and a sculpted planet
After, they used foil, clay, pipe cleaners, and glitter glue to sculpt their planets.
Explorer creating her planet
“This is a really fun project!” – Explorer creating her planet
Explorer with his volcano planet
Investigators designed contraptions for an egg drop on Thursday.
Investigator finishing his egg drop design
They used recycled materials like cardboard, plastic bags, & more.
Egg drop schematics
Group working on their egg drop project
Mr. Juan and Mr. Lewis tested each design by dropping them from the roof.
Investigators watching the egg drop
Out of nine groups, ALL NINE eggs survived! Way to go young engineers!
Groups posing after their successful egg drop
Northern Clay Center did a pinch pot activity with both groups.
Explorers working with Northern Clay Center
They learned how to make shakers with balls of clay inside.
Investigator making a planet shaker
Instructors taught them how to make planet-shaped shakers, but campers also got creative and made other sculptures.
Explorers making pinch pots
Campers painted them with different colored glaze. We can’t wait to see how they come out of the kiln!
Investigator finishing her piece with glaze
We wrapped up the week with a field trip to the Bell Museum!
Investigators at the Bell Museum
We enjoyed the Touch & See Lab, where some of us touched live snakes and bugs.
Explorers in the Touch & See Lab
Campers lining up to touch the live snake
Campers loved seeing the giant woolly mammoth replica and other massive extinct creatures.
Campers with the woolly mammoth
We got an immersive tour of each planet in the solar system in the museum planetarium.
Campers in the planetarium
Thank you to our partners for this week!
Thank you to Youthprise for providing free breakfast & lunch every day of camp!
And thank you so much to our youth funders for supporting our program!
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