We had a great time this week tackling the art of invention. From coding to paper airplanes, we had quite a blast learning about many new and creative ways to solve different problems. Now that we are all certified inventors, we want to tell you about our week!
On Monday, we learned about gravity and, more specifically, how inventors have learned to defy it. Campers started the day by learning about the history of airplanes and their parts. After learning all we could about airplanes, we put this knowledge to the test when we all created our own (paper) airplanes. First, campers chose one of four design templates provided to them to create. Then we tested our paper airplanes to see how far they would fly and for how long. After watching what worked and what didn’t work regarding airplane design, we went back to the drawing board. Campers used their creativity to create their very own, one of a kind paper airplane design. We then tested these designs against our original airplanes to see which worked the best. We also learned about another way inventors fight back against gravity: bridges! Campers experimented with building their own bridges using only wooden blocks.We had to think creatively about how to keep the bridge stable while making it taller and taller. To end the day, we learned about how sometimes, it’s just not possible to completely defy gravity. In these cases, it’s important to protect oneself from the dangerous effects gravity can have (aka: hitting the ground). We worked in groups to create some extensive protections from gravity and then tested them through an egg drop! Campers watched as their eggs plummeted to the ground and celebrated when their protections worked.
On Tuesday, we learned about urban engineering. Campers talked about all the things a working city needs to strive. We talked about how not only do cities need things like houses and apartments, it’s also important to have places to shop, places for entertainment, and areas where there are no buildings at all. Campers also learned about some things that only bigger cities have, like airports and large shopping centers. We then decided to conquer the feat of urban engineering in our own way. Campers worked together to build a large city using only paper and tape! Our finished city featured everything we needed: parks, homes, apartments, and grocery stores. We also added a few things for fun, like a pet shop and a Nintendo store! Our city quickly became crowded and there was only one more way to build: up! Campers went to work building all kinds of towers using only straws and tape. We worked in teams to compete and see who could build the tallest straw tower with only 50 straws and 5 feet of tape.
On Wednesday, we delved into more complex topics like machines. We started off easy with some simple machines. Campers learned about how simple machines like ramps, pulleys, and levers can make complicated tasks easier. Once we learned about simple machines, we got to work using our new knowledge to solve some problems of our own. Ever have that itch in the middle of your back that you just can’t reach? We decided to conquer this problem. Campers used the limited materials provided to invent their own backscratchers. We then moved on to creating something new. Campers worked together to make a hex bug maze using only wooden blocks. We also used these wooden blocks and some other various materials to build our very own Rube Goldberg machines. Campers worked together towards the end goal of ringing a bell and created some wild ways to get there. We then finished the day by creating some slingshot cars. Using only the power of a rubber band, we launched our cars across the museum floors!
On Thursday, we talked about magnets and electricity. We started the day by learning about circuits. Campers worked together to complete a working circuit. Once we mastered the simple circuits, we moved on to more and more complex circuits. Moving on from circuits, we got to see some electricity at work through a plasma ball! Campers were able to watch as the electrical currents flowed through the ball. We were even able to touch the plasma ball. To end the day, we worked on a craft involving magnets! We learned about how magnets have a positive and negative side and how opposite charges attract. Campers then got to work drawing a maze for their magnets to navigate through. We made sure to line the magnets up properly so that the opposite charges were facing each other so the magnets would follow each other through the maze.
On Friday, we tackled the topic of coding. We started the day by learning about some coding basics. Campers learned that coding languages are how computers “talk” to each other. We specifically learned about binary code. Campers talked about how binary code is a language that computers use that only consists of ones and zeros. To demonstrate this new knowledge, we made binary code bracelets featuring our initials in binary code! For the rest of the day, we were able to play with all different kinds of robots. We learned about how code can be simple when we pressed a few buttons and made a robot mouse move forward and back. Campers also learned that coding can be difficult and complex when working with LEGO Mindstorm Robots.
Thank you so much for sending your kiddo(s) to camp with us this week. If you will not be joining us for another session this year, we hope you have a great summer!