Merging ancient history with the future
AtlantaSTEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. This year’s theme centered on “Merging Ancient History with the Future”. Students attended the camp daily for one week, July 15th through 19th, where each day they visited four different stations. The students then presented their many products, that they created during the week, to family and friends at the conclusion showcase on Friday afternoon. Each morning the campers participated in a host of team building activities. As well as four stations that they rotated through each day, three of which were based on various countries to which the students learned some historical facts about the countries prompting some fun activities. The stations included China, Egypt, Greece, and Robotics.
Students learned a little history and then used higher-order thinking skills to create tools, devise plans, and reverse engineer to adapt real activities that exist in today’s world and combine them with the history they’ve learned. It was a week of hands-on fun activities each day.
Loree Saffel directed the China exploration and activities. The students learned about how ice cream was invented in China and learned how to make their own ice cream within minutes. They also learned the history behind calligraphy and the Great Wall of China. On top of that, the students constructed their own “Great Wall” that featured a zip line either across the wall or from the top of the wall to the ground.
The students were also able to make their way through Ancient Greece and explore the world of chariot races and catapults that were used in ancient times, all under the care and direction of Brittany Hall. Using materials from the recyclable table, which was mostly made of things they brought from home, the students created their prototypes of what their chariots would look like, as well as miniature catapults that they tested with mini marshmallows in the classroom.
From there the students journeyed to Ancient Egypt with the direction of Tammi Clements. Here the students learned about hieroglyphics and used their math skills to uncover hidden messages and learn how to create their own secret messages.
With their messages in mind, the students also created their own “paper” that they later wrote their encrypted messages on. The students also learned about the ancient pyramids that still stand today. Interesting facts like how the kings and queens were buried beneath the pyramids with all their wealth and other possessions were included. With this in mind, the students constructed their own pyramids, one group even going as far as creating theirs with marshmallows and straws.
Finally, the students had the opportunity to engineer robots using Lego robotic kits under the direction of Elizabeth Booth. Coding the old and new generation lego bricks began the very first day. Students were able to choose a robot to build from several types. Reading wordless building instructions, meaning they only had pictures to go off of, is not as easy as it seems. Booth received a lot of help from Austin Head, Caitlyn Morris, Megan Booth and Archie Booth with the building of the robots. Programming downloads were made as early as Wednesday to completed robots. Students were able to add code to personalize each of their base programs. Designing their robot platform and outfits also added personal touch. The students successfully built robots and demonstrated their skills for their family and friends at our showcase on Friday afternoon. Demonstrations and explanations were also videoed with the help of former STEM camp student, Caitlyn Morris, on Thursday for the presentation.
The students brought the excitement to learn in innovative and creative ways. Collected from a survey at the end of the week, students and parents included fun, exciting, amazing, fabulous, educational, and one of the utmost favorites, extreme learning to describe their week at STEM camp. STEM believes that developing collaboration and creativity skills is a requirement for future generations success in the work environment.
This belief will promote the idea that our students will be charged with solving the world’s problems one day. The STEM camp’s purpose is to develop these skills so students can play a fundamental role in solving any problem they encounter in local or global society.
AES is thankful for the support of the AISD administration, school board and their campus. We want to thank all the parents and students that participated in our camp. Teamwork was evident in everything from the crazy camp looks each day, to the problem solving and creating to complete each task assigned. The volunteers, who are also former STEM participants, Austin Head and Caitlyn Morris, offered their time and expertise to the students and staff throughout the week. Other volunteers included Megan and AJ Booth. Though their main assignments were helping out in robotics, they also did a variety of things to help make the week successful. Dena McCord, Principal of AES and our custodial staff did an amazing job of supporting this week of fun activities all over the building.