An engaging, handson program teaches campers to apply complex concepts to real world issues
Harbor Country Day School has announced that its Camp Harbor will be launching an extensive, handson Science, Technology, Engineering & Math (STEM) program this summer. The STEM program, which will focus on the real world application of the STEM disciplines, will be offered to children in first grade through eighth grade during intensive STEM workshops. In addition, the program will be interwoven throughout other camp activities for campers of all ages, including preschoolers and kindergartners.
“Beginning as early as preschool, the science, technology, engineering, and math disciplines are integral elements of curricula at Harbor Country Day, so this STEM program is an exciting development for Camp Harbor,” said John Cissel, Harbor Country Day’s Head of School. “During the school year, Harbor’s students have many unique opportunities to discover and explore the STEM world. Similarly, this new program at Camp Harbor will delve deeply into science, technology, engineering, and math using experiential, handson methods within a fun and discovery-based curriculum. Our campers will enjoy exploring how these disciplines work together to solve real world problems.”
At Camp Harbor, campers in grades four through eight will examine the fundamentals of architecture and urban planning to design their own city. They will learn about the science and technology behind “green energy” in order to develop an environmentally sound energy plan for their city. Using what they’ve learned about environmental science, campers will assess the impact of their city on the surrounding environment. In addition, campers will have the opportunity to learn the basics of coding and computer programming to build their own video game, and utilize Lego WeDo Robotics to learn how to build, manipulate, and operate simple machines.
Campers in first through third grades will learn the basics in chemistry, physics, and astronomy in age appropriate activities. They will study the life processes of animals and plants, and the ways in which these life forms interact with and adapt to their environment, in order to build a model ecosystem. Campers will draw upon forensic science to examine a crime scene and solve a camp “mystery;” build a bottle rocket based on the laws of physics; delve into earth science by examining extreme weather conditions such as lightning, tornadoes, and hurricanes; and become amateur paleontologists, astronomers, and eco-scientists.
Ralph Pepe, director of summer programs at Harbor Country Day, added: “Throughout Camp Harbor’s 20plus years, we’ve worked to combine a ‘traditional’ camp experience with academic enrichment opportunities. Camp Harbor strives to provide a perfect balance of summer fun and educational experiences. Now, with the introduction of the STEM program, we will be offering enrichment opportunities far above and beyond anything we’ve done in the past in a new and exciting way.”
Camp Harbor runs from June 29 through August 14, 2015, with total schedule flexibility. The camp is currently accepting applications, and will continue to enroll campers through August. For more information about Camp Harbor, please visit Camp Harbor Online.