About STEP Academy Switzerland
We are a part of a global network of private education centers developed in 21 countries. The STEP network includes 4 private universities, 10 private schools, and 102 training centers (Jan 2021). The Swiss branch was created in March 2018 and offers various programs for children between 4 and 17 years old. Throughout the school year, STEP Academy offers courses as well as camps during school holidays. These programs introduce children to programming, 3D design, robotics, space exploration, video game creation, experimental science, science, digital arts & filmmaking.
Summer Camp 2021 Locations in Switzerland Basel, Bern, Geneva, Lausanne, Lucerne, Vevey, Zurich.
Schedule
09:00 - 09:15 - Arrival. 09:15 - 10:30 - Outdoor activities & sports. 10:30 - 12:00 - First class. 12:00 - 12:30 - Lunch. 12:30 - 14:00 - Second class. 14:00 - 14:30 - Break. 14:30 - 16:00 - Third class. 16:00 - 16:30 - Fruit break. 16:00 - 18:00 - Outdoor activities & sports. 18:00 - 18:30 - Departure (Late pick-up)*
* Speci c times should be arranged in advance.
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Camp Materials
LEGO® Inventor robotic set (one per 2 children). Notebook (one per child). Arduino Uno microcontrollers and Arduino components(one per 2 children). Water rockets and pumps. Paper, tape, cardboard, sticks & toothpicks, rubber bands. Glue guns.
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Monday Morning
Lesson 1-1: LEGO® Inventor - Space Gates
Description
Students will start their space lessons by assembling and coding Tricky models. Tricky will be used for cargo transportation challenges. The goal of the challenge is to move objects from a starting point to the space gate. For this challenge, we designed a unique map. The further is the gate, the more points students get.
References
http://bit.ly/tricky-inventor
Afternoon
Lesson 1-2: Designing Astro Socks to Protect Astronauts’ Feet in Microgravity
Description
In space, the astronauts’ feet are like hands. They use them to grip and grasp surfaces to stabilize themselves in microgravity. This often leads to discomfort on the tops of their feet. In this lesson, students study the tasks that astronauts perform while on the International Space Station. They evaluate designs of performance footwear, gather user requirements and study foot anatomy. Then, they design and build a prototype to mitigate the pressure on their feet. By running trials using their sensitized sock, they test the effectiveness of their design in a simulated microgravity environment.
Reference
https://education.microsoft.com/en-us/hackingStem/lesson/d1c4fc23
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Camp Curriculum
Morning
Lesson 2-1: LEGO® Inventor - Transportation of Resources
Description
On a new map, students nd themselves on two planets united by the portal. These are two colonies of the ancient Earth that were separated. They have different objectives that will require trading and negotiation between two teams. However, colonies developed their unique languages, so students will have to communicate using sign language. No word will be allowed.
Reference
http://bit.ly/resources-inventor
Afternoon
Lesson 2-2: Electromagnetic Spectrum
Description
Astronauts live beyond the Earth’s protective ozone layer and while they still are in the magnetosphere they are exposed to higher levels of radiation. Much of this radiation is emitted from the Sun in the form of visible and invisible light. In this lesson, students use a prism in sunlight to learn that light has frequencies and wavelengths that determine the colors of light we see. Then, students use ultraviolet (UV) sensitive beads to investigate UV levels of different light sources. Next, they build a spectrometer to measure light wavelengths including infrared and UV light levels in their environment. Finally, students research a local UV index to determine UV radiation around them and discuss the SPF levels for sunscreen.
References
https://education.microsoft.com/en-us/hackingStem/lesson/655d724c
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Tuesday
Morning
Lesson 3-1: 3D Design & 3D-Printing
Description
3D-Printing is a technology of the future. First houses on Mars will be 3D-printed. It is the best way to in such inhospitable environments. Every 3d-prints begins with a 3D design. We will work in the voxel genre: the best one to have a quick start.
Reference
https://youtu.be/J5fK79E_RXE
Afternoon
Lesson 3-1: LEGO® Inventor - Mars Rover
Description
Build a Mars rover and explore surrounding space. Transfer signals back to the Earth and completes an obstacle course. Mars rover has to be coded to work autonomously and achieve the goal regardless of the disposition on the scan eld. Three iterations are allowed; every time, the teams have to improve the design and code of the rover.
References
http://bit.ly/inventor-mars-rover
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Wednesday
Morning
Lesson 4-1: Tetra-Triangle Kite
Description
Warm breezes make summer the perfect time to y a kite. A tetrahedral kite is made up of triangles connected together to make pyramids. Connect several pyramids together and watch this unique kite soar as you learn about the forces of ight.
Reference
https://youtu.be/zm8cRfx-zkg
Afternoon
Lesson 4-2: Space Platformer
Description
Construct2 game engine can make all kinds of 2D games. In this lesson, students will design a platformer game with a SciFi theme. A plot of the game is the following - an astronaut lost in space and now trying to get back to the ship through meteorite elds, comets, gravitational anomalies, not to mention alien lifeforms.
Reference
https://youtu.be/oLS2FlTbYhs
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Thursday
Morning
Lesson 5-1: Using Materials Science Engineering to Determine Heat Resistance
Description
Crew and cargo returning from the International Space Station need to be protected from the heat that is generated during the capsule’s descent. This materials science and engineering lesson plan begins by students exploring the properties of different heat shield construction materials. Then, they run trials with samples to collect heat resistance data. Finally, they feed their data into a model to simulate how well their capsule is protected during its descent.
Reference
https://youtu.be/DSMV7HUSu88
Afternoon
Lesson 5-2: Water Bottle Rocket.
Description
What makes rockets y straight? What makes rockets y far? Why use water to make the rocket y? Students are challenged to design and build rockets from two-liter plastic soda bottles that travel as far and straight as possible or stay aloft as long as possible. Teams design for maximum distance or hang time; adding a parachute is required.
Reference
https://www.teachengineering.org/activities/view/ucd_bottlerockets_activity1
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Friday
Frequently Asked Questions
Why I should enroll my child in our camp?
The camp has a structured and profound program that will keep students interested and motivated every day. It is based on open-ended tasks and teamwork that are vital for the future.
What level is required? Teamwork and open exploration format allow to interest children who did science and tech camps before and those who do it for the first time. What is the objective of the camp? Deliver knowledge about space topics, create interdisciplinary links between math, geometry, physics, and chemistry. Inspire children to learn more, explore new topics, be curious. What are our contract and obligations? We promise a happy, secure and welcoming learning environment and the achievement of our objectives. How many children are in the group? Depending on the weeks, there may be 2-4 groups. The teacher per student ratio is 1 to 8 in any case. Do you accept girls? Yes, we are proud to have 40-60% of girls in our classes. We make sure that our camps are inclusive and interesting for every child. Who are your teachers? Alumni of technical universities with teaching experience. How many children did the camp? In Switzerland, we have organized camps for the previous 4 years. The total number of students is above 2000 children. You are based in Geneva, so you ensure that the camp is organized properly in other cities? We have created detailed video instructions and framework documents for every lesson and outdoor activity. Selected teachers should complete an online course before being assigned to the role.
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Team
Vitalii Varbanets
Cristina Zogg
Ruslana Ilina
Nadine Radanovich
Co-Founder & Director
Partnership Manager
Expansion Manager
Expansion Manager
Nadim Ammoury
Marika Nabok
Ihor Arsenyuk
Juba Chebrine
Expansion Manager
Admissions Manager
Programs Creator
Client Manager
Bassel Haddad
Amine Hamdoud
Serhii Halchuk
Client Manager
Client Manager
Marketing Manager
Contact Details
IT STEP Academy, Rue Richard-Wagner 1, 1202 Website: itstep.org, Email: education.ch@itstep.org, Phone and WhatsApp: + 41 22 501 7051 IBAN - CH59 0483 5154 9753 0100 0
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