Captivate S.T.E.A.M. Camp Jr.

Registration is now open!

Captivate S.T.E.A.M. Camp Jr. is a full-day (9:00 am – 3:00 pm), camp for ages 7-10 which incorporates science, technology, engineering, art, mathematics and P.E. into the activities for each week. Our S.T.E.A.M. camp inspires each child with individualized attention and problem solving projects, and our camp is kept intentionally small so that children can build relationships with each other and the staff. We maintain a 1:16 staff-to-student ratio. Extended care is available to extend the day from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm. Minimum enrollment to hold camp: 16.

2020 Themes for Captivate S.T.E.A.M. Camps Jr.

• June 15 – 19: Animal Adaptations
• June 22 – 26: It’s Elemental! Matter, Molecules, and the Periodic Table
• June 29 – July 3: Majestic National Parks
• July 6 – 10: Light, Color, and Optical Illusions
• July 13 – 17: Slime Time!

Animal Adaptations

How do animals compete for limited resources with one another to survive in often challenging environments? This week campers will dive into the mysteries of why such different animals have such similar bone structures in their feet, investigate how birds use their specialized beaks to maximize food consumption, and explore evidence of evolution. Campers will investigate the adaptations for survival for the barn owl, and do a dissection to determine which species of prey were consumed by the barn owl. The culminating activity will be to design your own creature with specialized adaptations.

It’s Elemental! Matter, Molecules, and the Periodic Table

The Periodic Table is a modern marvel of organization consisting of metals, nonmetals and metalloids. Which elements are in your smartphone? Learn about the theory of the atom, why elements are arranged on the Periodic Table in this fashion, and properties and common uses of key elements. Use molecular models to build common molecules, like water, carbon dioxide and glucose. Learn to identify chemical reactions by recognizing certain signs like color change, production of gas, and temperature change. Watch reactions before your eyes! It’s chemistry! It’s elemental!

Majestic National Parks: Yosemite, Yellowstone and the Grand Canyon

Yosemite National Park:

Explore the forces that carved this striking valley, with its giant granite peaks, cascading waterfalls, and lush valley floor. Get acquainted with great figures in history associated with the valley, including the Miwok tribe, John Muir, Ansel Adams, Jenny Curry and the Buffalo Soldiers. Paint magnificent landscapes of world famous landmarks: Half Dome, Yosemite Falls and El Capitan. Learn about the plants and animals whose home is the spectacular national park in our own backyard.

Yellowstone National Park:

Bubbling, gurgling mud pools and explosive geysers are some of the amazing hydrothermal and geologic wonders of this national park. A multitude of brightly colored microorganisms “paint” iconic landscapes and geothermal pools such as Mammoth Hot Springs and Midway Geyser Basin with Grand Prismatic Spring. Unearth the geology of this active volcanic landscape and underlying magma chamber. Explore animals and ecosystems, including the wolf, bison, moose and bears.

Grand Canyon:

How did the Grand Canyon form? The unique “layer cake” formations were created as sedimentary layer upon layer were deposited over millennia. This resulted in a literal “history book” of the Earth, with the oldest layers on the bottom. Learn about geologic time and fossils in this unique formation, as well as the forces of weathering and erosion and the carving power of the mighty Colorado River.

Light, Color, and Optical Illusions

Do you like bright colors? Are you fascinated by optical illusions? This is the camp for you! Discover reflection and refraction through a variety of experiments and explore some fun optical illusions that will make your head spin. Experiment with colored glasses and create a hidden message, and create a Benham disc to take home. Use your knowledge of mirrors and reflection to make a colorful kaleidoscope. Students will engage in technology-based activities and centers that may include: video editing with WeVideo, Makey Makey, virtual reality, stop animation, video game design with Scratch, computer programming with Raspberry Pi, Dash and Dot, and augmented reality.

Slime Time!

Are you fascinated by slime? In this camp, we will make a variety of different recipes of slime. Some will be stretchy, some will be bouncy, some will be fluffy and some will even glow in the dark. We will also explore the chemistry of polymers and why slime behaves the way it does. Students will engage in technology-based activities and centers that may include: video editing with WeVideo, Makey Makey, virtual reality, stop animation, video game design with Scratch, computer programming with Raspberry Pi, Dash and Dot, augmented reality.

Fees

Please see the Fees page.

Location

Millikin Basics+ Elementary School
Santa Clara Unified School District
615 Hobart Terrace
Santa Clara, CA 95051

Holy Family School
4850 Pearl Avenue
San Jose, CA 95136

Sample Daily Schedule

Drop-off Window: 8:45 to 9:00 AM
Pick-up Window: 2:45 to 3:00 PM

8:00 – 9:00: Extended Care
9:00 – 9:30: Recreation & morning meeting
9:30 – 10:30: Science
10:30 – 11:00: Snack & Break (Recess)
11:00 – 12:00: PE
12:00 – 12:15: Math Problems or Educational Video
12:15 -1 :00: Lunch
1:00 – 2:00: Art
2:00 – 3:00: STEM Challenge or Technology Exploration Stations
3:00 – 6:00: Extended Care

Note: Schedule may vary based on activities