WSU Tri-Cities brings back summer science camp for kids ages 10-14

RICHLAND, Wash. — Hands-on adventures in science, technology, engineering and math — as applied to ninjas, robots, animals, crime scenes, architecture, industrial design and more — have returned for summer at Washington State University Tri-Cities.

The weeklong STEM-based day camps are being held in July for students ages 10 through 14. The 11 camps are taught by certified teachers with assistance from local professionals and technical experts.

LoAnn Ayers
LoAnn Ayers

“We are so excited to bring summer science camp back to the Tri-Cities,” said LoAnn Ayers, STEM Camp director. “We have served over 5,000 kids over the years. Now we’re really focusing on middle school because there are so many more options now for kids who are in kindergarten through fifth grade.

“It’s all hands on, and all sessions are designed to be equally appropriate for boys and girls,” she said. “But enrollment is very limited to give students the best possible learning experiences. Our game development camp is already sold out!”

STEM Camp sessions open for registration include:

• Design It! (July 7-11, full day)—Experience innovation and graphic design. Refine a product, then develop packaging and a marketing concept to pitch your idea to experienced entrepreneurs at our “Shark Tank” like event.

• Ultimate Flight (July 7-11, full day) — Soar into the exploration, design, and testing of flying machines, from ancient weapons to a 2-stage rocket that climbs over 1,000 feet. Apply concepts of force and energy while launching projectiles and creating catapults as you learn about the science behind flight.

• Physics of the Ninja (July 7-11, half day)—Learn about inertia, rotational momentum, mass, force, and direction through a historical review of the Japanese period of the Ninja, including weaponry engineering, stealth and camouflage.

• Science of Survival (July 14-18, full day) — Explore the science behind survival including biological requirements, communication, problem solving, planning and more. Learn survival strategies from natural camouflage, tying knots, finding food in nature, filtering water, and building an emergency shelter.

• Robots Rule (July 21-25, full day)—Learn advanced robotic technology then design and build multiple robots to complete tasks and solve problems. Use the fischertech nik system, designed to challenge robotic engineers, as you code your programmable logic controllers to enable a robot to compete in Robo-Games.

• Cracking the Human Code (July 21-25, half-day/morning)—Uncover the building blocks of life as you explore genetics and body systems. Dissect a chicken wing to learn more about tendons, veins, nerves and more. Examine a cow’s eye to see how anatomy and optics affect vision. Explore mobility and learn about the technology behind adaptations and prosthetics while you design a prosthetic device. Spark your interest in scientific research as you conduct experiments to explore the foundations of life.

• Call of the Wild (July 21-25, half-day/afternoon)— Investigate predators in the air, beasts on land, and underwater creatures. Join us for dung day to dig into scat science and learn about real-world uses for poop. Use dissection to learn more about anatomy and the defense tactics of animals.

• Building Big (July 21-25, half-day/afternoon)—Explore large structures and investigate the science and math requirements for the architecture and engineering to build them. Investigate a troubled dam and decide whether to repair or replace it. Blast, drill and burrow learn about tunnel design.

• Power the Future (July 28-August 1, full day) —Expand your science and engineering knowledge as you build and test sun, water, wind and biofuels energy sources. Learn how alternative energy components can be integrated into your home by working with the Traveling Renewable Energy Kiosk.

• CSI Science (July 28-August 1, full day) — Use forensic science to solve a mystery through logic and experiments including blood splatter analysis, teeth impressions, fingerprints and more. Try to beat the lie detector and learn about polygraph technologies. Put it all together to build a credible case.

STEM Science Camp
STEM Science Camp

Read the full camp descriptions and download the registration form at tricity.wsu.edu/summersciencecamp or contact the STEMP Camp at 509-372-7123 or sciencecamp@tricity.wsu.edu. The “frequently asked questions” section on the web site has answers for parents with children ages 9 or age 15 who want to participate, including how to get a teacher recommendation form.

“We strive to ensure that students are appropriately challenged,” Ayers said. “We recognize that some students may not have yet reached age 10 but are socially-aware, mature, and educationally-ready for these camps.”

Full-day campus cost $279 and run from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Half-day camps cost $177 and are either in the morning (8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.) or afternoon (1 to 4:30 p.m.). Multi-camp discounts are available.

Each camp culminates with a “Big Event” on Friday, where the family and friends are invited to campus to see what their students learned all week and to take pictures of the fun events.

Learn more about WSU Tri-Cities and its commitment to dynamic student engagement, dynamic research experiences, and dynamic community engagement at tricity.wsu.edu.

Contact:
LoAnn Ayers, WSU Tri-Cities, Office of Strategic Partnerships, 509-372-7606, ayers@tricity.wsu.edu
Melissa O’Neil Perdue, WSU Tri-Cities, Marketing and Communications, 509-372-7319, cell/text 509-727-3094, moneil@tricity.wsu.edu