Week 1: June 24-28 Physics Week Join us as we improve our understanding of the principles of physics with a series of exciting activities. Campers will construct Cartesian divers and learn about air pressure as they study the function of these fascinating devices. The study of pressure will continue as campers explore the properties of vacuums and how lowering pressure can produce some dramatic and surprising changes. Other activities include the study of fluid dynamics using preforms and experiments with sound waves and resonance. Finally, we will venture outside to use solar tubes to learn about density and rocket balloons to study projectile motion. Newton would be proud.
Week 2: July 1 – 5 (Closed July 4) Biology Week Campers will become acquainted with insects and their habitats as they observe and experiment with ants, ladybugs and other small creatures. Did you ever wonder how our bones work to keep us upright and functioning? We will complete a variety of experiments and activities to better understand our bones, what they’re made of, how they work, and how we fix them when they break. Campers will also have the opportunity to explore Germantown Academy’s wetlands, the Preserve. We will spend one morning observing the plant and animal life that calls our campus home while learning about the importance of maintaining watersheds for a clean water supply.
Week 3: July 8 – 12 Geology Week What makes volcanoes erupt, and how do they function? How do fossils form and where can we find them? What are rocks and minerals and how are they classified? What are the natural forces inside the Earth that produce these assorted minerals? Campers will discover the answers to these questions and many others as they spend the week exploring the science of geology. Who knew rocks could be so exciting?
Week 4: July 15 – 19 Chemistry Week Campers will spend this week studying a series of chemical reactions in order to better understand the atoms, molecules and ions that compose matter. Campers will experience some colorful chemistry as they extract natural dyes from plant sources and use them to dye fabric. The properties of metals and alloys will be explored as we experiment with coins to understand and change their composition. Campers will even dissect and decompose some coins to get a look at what’s inside. Other activities will include a study of gases and their behavior. We will also complete an investigation of esters and other smelly compounds to better understand what makes them smell.
Week 5: July 22 – 26 Astronomy Week Each day campers will experience life on a different planet from our solar system. The activities will consist of a series of experiments that demonstrate the environmental conditions on each planet and how those conditions affect the planet’s ability to support life. By the end of the week each camper will have a deeper knowledge of each planet. Prepare for some out of this world science!