Purdue University North Central is hosting STEM Summer Camp @ PNC, 2012 for area young people at its Westville campus from June 25 through Aug. 2. The camp emphasizes activities in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) disciplines and introduces students to the campus as they take part in age-appropriate learning with PNC faculty, staff and local professionals as their instructors.
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1401 S US 421
Westville, IN 46391
Phone: 219-785-5200
The young people, ages six to 17, are participants in this summer program that is part of the La Porte County Coalition of Youth Serving Agencies (YSA) including Imagination Station, Boys and Girls Club, Michigan City Parks and Recreation, Safe Harbor, Barker Woods and North Central Community Action Agencies in Michigan City.
Indoor and outdoor activities keep these youth mentally and physically engaged for their time on campus with up to 160 children spending one morning a week at PNC for five weeks of the six-week program. During the remaining hours, they will participate in activities offered by their youth programs.
The curricula will feature:
The first week of camp will feature Dr. Kumara Jayasuriya, associate vice chancellor for Academic Affairs and associate professor of Mathematics, leading campers on an exploration of math. Activities will include a variety of math games. Students will be grouped according to age and their activities will be age appropriate as they explore and apply math in interesting, challenging ways.
"Virtual and Physical Explorations of the World," with Dr. David Pratt, associate professor of Education, teaching campers how helpful computers can be at providing virtual experiences to teach physics principles of the real world. Activities include learning to build a bridge, flying a paper airplane and throwing a disc through computer simulations and applying what was learned with fun and engaging science and technology activities.
"Rollercoasters" will feature Dr. Joseph Schroer, assistant professor of Education, as he leads the campers in a uniquely fascinating examination of potential and kinetic energy while building different types of twisting and turning rollercoasters.
"Eagles: Dream Big; Soar High," led by Joan Wisniewski, Potawatomi Audubon Society president and other members, who will introduce students to the the eagle. Activities will include learning facts about the eagle, learning history and why is the eagle the national bird, learning environmental science about making the nest and the food chain, making an eagle hand puppet, making an edible eagle and roll playing an eagle's wingspan.
"From the Ground Up or the Sky Down" with local artist and teacher Nancy Saxon, guiding students as they create an individual work of sculpture. The campers will learn about structure as they consider how placing and connecting assorted materials will allow a lasting visually interesting structure. They'll combine imagination with engineering while choosing from items such as wooden dowels, rocks, blocks, twine, wire and cardboard.
Enrollment for this camp session is closed. Further information can be obtained by contacting Liz Bernel, PNC coordinator of Special Events and Marketing at 219.785.5200 ext. 5719 or ebernel@pnc.edu. Persons with disabilities requiring accommodations should contact Bernel.