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

We have concluded the summer virtual camps for 2020. The information below remains as a reference.

Camp 2021 information will be updated by March 2021.

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We are offering a LIVE, half-day program with all materials included. Parents are given a hyperdoc schedule with Zoom links for all classes. Class supplies will be available for pick-up or delivery. Review details with Fee information. Reminder emails will be sent daily.

2020 Themes for Virtual 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!

Sample Daily Schedule

9:00 – 10:00: Science
10:00 – 10:30: Math/Riddle
10:30 – 10:45: Snack Break
10:45 – 11:45: Art
11:45 – 12:00: Debrief and Reflect

Fees include Art supplies and science materials in a CC Tote bag & Notebook

Registration is now open!

Captivate S.T.E.A.M. Camp Jr. is a half-day (9:00 am – 12:00 noon), virtual camp for ages 7-10 which incorporates science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics 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. 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!

Disclaimer

Due to COVID-19, the full-day (9:00 am to 3:00 pm), in-person camps have pivoted to a half-day (9:00 am to 12:00 pm) virtual camp for 2020, and some of the lessons have been modified or changed based on material and time constraints. Despite that, we have maintained the integrity of our hands-on program and cover the same core concepts in our themes with some modifications from the original pre-COVID programming.

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.

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.

Fees

Please see the Fees page.