Going after the Future
~ Photos can be accessed for viewing here ~
Three, Two, One…Lift Off!! The day started early in the morning before breakfast with hot air balloons lifting off over the library. The launch of the four balloons was very successful and witnessed by many campers, ooh-ing and awing.
After breakfast, the rocket project continued as teams finalized the details and built their rocket.
By lunch time, thirty-three bottle rockets had successfully launched into orbit. Our talented engineers, CFOs, and COOs of the rocket companies also enjoyed a tasty treat (Otter Pops!) while watching the launch. Naturally, we also launched a dance party to celebrate our last day together before heading to lunch.
After lunch, campers went to their core classes for capstone projects. They put their knowledge to the test as they solved a robbery, soared through the clouds with hot air balloons, built skyscrapers, and coded the next greatest apps.
The App Inventor students finalized their personal projects. Many installed their apps onto devices for further testing and inspiration!
The Art in Math students completed their origami dodecahedrons! It was an all-day challenge, but they persevered. They also built the Sierpinski pyramid out of straws and studied the art of two-point perspective buildings.
The Hot Air Ballooners celebrated their morning of successful launches with traditional “bubbly” and treats. Then, they finished the slide presentation and a lab on calculating density. They ended the course with a parachute engineering competition, roller coaster physics, and other physics toys like “house of cards.”
The Circuits students used a solder sucker and braided copper to fix mistakes and make the final touches. The girls also learned about light sensors and how they might be used to steer the car.
The CSI girls put their skills to the test by investigating and solving a crime that took place in the classroom. They analyzed forensic evidence, presented their findings, and determined the criminals from a list of suspects.
The girls in Structures built skyscrapers out of spaghetti and gumdrops (aiming to be as light and tall as possible). They also learned about how to become a structural engineer, took a jeopardy quiz on all they have learned, and learned about the challenges in designing the world’s tallest building.
After our final meal together, girls broke down the final pieces of their shells and performed in our annual talent show. Campers prepared skits, shared their talents, and enjoyed the showcase of individual and group abilities. Performances included opera in Spanish, rappers, reciting 100 digits of Pi, dancing, and unforgettably goofy group skits.
After the talent show, camper wrote thank you letters to their branches for the opportunity to come to camp. Campers also completed surveys to rate their camp experience and wrote in their journals about what they enjoyed in this past week. The journals also provide a recap of the week when the campers return home and speak to family, friends, and AAUW branches about their time at camp.
The night ended with a laughter-filled viewing of the rough draft of the video each camper will take home. The girls were in high-spirits as they saw their experiences recapped with all the smiles, laughs, and shared experiences.
Including the times they laughed…
The times they danced…
The times they were brave…
They saw how they grew as individuals and learned to work and live with others as a team.
Our goal was to equip the girls with confidence so they will embrace the math and science coursework (and other challenges that come their way) they will experience in eighth grade and beyond. We cannot wait to see them go into the world and “be brave, not perfect!”