Well I am introducing this again as my camp is nearing. Sadly they wrote this dorky little explanation so session one is not so big-- only 5 kids so far. Also there has been no other publicity of the program. Of course, I could get some more kids. Session two is liable to be bigger as I hope to get some publicity via the paper and a tv channel. We will have Mike Mullane who is an astronaut from around here. (Also because it is a private school it is sort of pricey. This school has no way to give camperships.)
Anyway here is what my camp schedule looks like:
BTW, this is 4 hours a day, 5 days a week, for 3 weeks.
Week 1: "Getting there is half the fun".
Day 1: Team building. Intros; a survey of interests, etc.; photos (I am making them lanyards and ID tags); ice breakers; start up of long term projects (crystals, weather tracking, hydroponics); and several team space projects.
Day 2: Rocket day 1: rockets vs planes; straw rockets; fuel test; start building Estes rockets. (all day)
Day 3: Comet day: make a comet (dry ice, coke, sand, etc.); aerogel simulation; Stardust model, etc.
Day 4: ISS/ Shuttle/ space base day: first part of "7 days in Space" (I am showing launch readying; launch only) ; iMax ISS movie; start Mar's base (K'Nex and recycle).
Day 5: Engineering Day: Egg drop; start to build a "robotic arm"; some robotics activities (T-Bot, etc.)
Week 2: Living and Working in Space
Day 1: Rocket Launch day. Make altimeters and test; launch; From Earth to moon video of Apollo 15 (rocks, geology), discussion of upcoming Mar's mission.
Day 2: Mars Mission day. Go to rocky site as Mar's explorers. (hard hats, gloves, grabbers, etc.), collect samples, pictures; take back and start to examine in glove boxes. (All day activities).
Day 3: Space Science day 1: study polymers and composites; look at plants and crystals, etc. Human physiology (dangers), space suit challenge.
Day 4: Space Science day 2: Human physiology. Confusion of senses, blood pressure (learn to take and then do positions-- sitting, standing, lying); vestibular sense (spinning), reaction time, bones/exercise
Day 5: Space food: packaging for space; tasting; create space pudding; mock apple pie; space lunch.
Week 3: Shuttle simulator week.
Note: 5 kids do simulator so there has to be other activities that the kids will already be familiar with.
Day 1: Intro to simulators. Astronaut visit.
Also we will have an exact copy of the Canadarm that the astronauts use.
This will be all day.
Day 2: Simulator orientation: the basics; practice landing; Canadarm; finish up some activities; Power point of camp or ...
Day 3: Simulator run thrus. Learn more and practice; landings; Canadarm; Power point or..., work on long term projects.
Day 4: Complete Simulation. (1-2 hrs) Simulation and debrief; Canadarm; Powerpoint or...; etc.
Day 5: Parent's day. (This is an all camp day.) Demonstration of shuttle mission (1 hr or so). Intro to shuttle; show off stuff; power point. Kids can also walk around and take in other classes' exhibits and projects. certificates to kids.
I am trying to organize, figure out how to do a pool session. We would do an ISS section underwater; try to work with tools; etc. It would be a late afternoon/ evening; we'd do a waver for the school, pool owner, and me; require parents there; not required.
Ok, any comments or ideas??? Esp. those of you who have done this or are doing it or would like to do it.
Yes, I will be flexible in terms of weather, etc etc.
--des
New space education thread...
Moderator: Vincent