School of Magic! Ages 9-11

• Let your child explore the world of Science Magic, or in other words: The school of: "That is NOT possible!"
• In our Abnormal Physics class, the children will learn to:
  • Cut off their head with a string
  • Put a needle through a balloon
  • Put a balloon directly over a flame and not have it burst.
  • Make boxes defy gravity
  • Use air to push an egg into a small opening and suck water into a vacuum.
  • Break a stick with atmospheric pressure.
• In the Chemical Potions class we will:
  • Make a substance go from a solid to a gas without melting
  • Make fires burn different colors
  • Mix concoctions that first turn cold then magically hot!
  • Make clear liquids turn colors and make colored liquids change their color.
  • Make objects glow in the dark
  • Write invisible messages
• Don't worry, our magicians in training also must learn the science behind the magic.
  • In the Abnormal Physics classes they will learn about Atmospheric Pressure, Polymers, thermodynamics, the difference between the center of mass and the center of gravity, the concept that vacuums do not suck, but actually create a low pressure zone allowing atmospheric pressure to do the rest.
  • In the Chemical Potions class they will learn about acids, bases, indicators, chemical reactions, flame test, fluorescence, sublimation, exothermic and endothermic reactions and lots more.
• At the end of the week the graduates will have the opportunity to present what they learned as they put on a Science Magic Show for the parents to see.

Option STR 9: X-treme Builders Camp (Ages 11-14) 

• This will be for those who LOVE building advanced and complicated structures and LEGO Machines.
• For the Science, They will work in teams to incorporate engineering design into building advanced cranes and other machines.    Structural testing criteria include column buckling, compression, mechanical advantage, stability, rotational overturning and more.
• The technology is reserved for our oldest students only. If your child loves building very challenging structures with LEGO's this will be the camp for them! The builders will need to have a more in depth knowledge of LEGO building and pieces. The activities are motorized, pneumatics powered and also non-motorized. Some of the activities that they build will include a walking dinosaur, a crane, a submarine a zepplin, and a motorized cable car.
• The activities built will be use universal joints, piston connectors, knowledge of structural integrity and an imagination to step outside the box and try new building techniques.

Option R 11: Adventure Bots: (Ages 11-14) 

• This exciting class uses the LEGO® NXT MINDSTORM ™ Robots. The students will learn how programming works and will enjoy seeing the robots perform the task assigned. While there will be time spent assembling the robot, this camp focuses on programming the robot to perform the specific task assigned.
• The campers will be challenged to explore an ancient Mayan pyramid, the tomb of King Ixtua, filled with booby traps!  The students will build and program different exploratory robots to disable the traps so that they can explore the tomb. They will test not only their programming skills but also their engineering and decision making skills as they determine the best means to accomplish a task.
• If you joined us last year, please come back as we will be delving deeper into the temple and unlocking the door to King Ixtua’s throne room!
• This camp will work for both beginner and experienced LEGO NXT MINDSTORM Programmers. The students who are not familiar with MINDSTORMS will have a special training the first day and experienced students will start off with the assigned programs.
• 8 hour extension option:  If your child signs up for an 8 hour camp, they will have the opportunity to explore new challenges.  These challenges will be based on additional fun and exciting programming and engineering tasks, like building a remote control, steering with clapping, robot kickball, and light-fearing and light-loving robots!
• There will not be a robot that your child will take home (please see Option R12 for camp that has a take home robot). This is a great place to start if you are considering a MINDSTORM Robot for your child or already have one and want to get the most out of it. It is also great preparation for First LEGO League (FLL)

Option R 12: Building Bots (Ages 11-14) 

• Build a Robot to take home AND learn to program the LEGO® NXT MINDSTORM ™ Robot.
• Build and TAKE HOME your own autonomous ROBOT that responds to its environment.
  • The students will build a Crawling Microbug.
  • To do this they will learn to solder using lead-free solder for safety
  • Work with circuits boards and Bread Boards
• The students will also be using the LEGO® NXT MINDSTORM® Robots and we will be off to new Adventures!  
  • Using LEGO Educations Green City Challenge, the students will learn to build and program different exploratory robots to solve problems. They will test not only their programming skills but also their engineering and decision making skills as they determine the best means to accomplish a task. The students will learn more about how programming works and will enjoy seeing the robots perform the task assigned.
  • This will give the students a jump start if they ever desire to participate in the First LEGO® League programs.  MINDSTORM classes have never been more fun!
  • Problem solving and math skills used.
• Note: MINDSTORM ROBOTS will not be taken home. The Crawling Microbug will be the take home robot.

Option AST 19 The Creators (Ages 9-12) Art, Science and Technology

• Art: In addition to drawing and painting, the art portion will focus on fun craft activities such as Grand Canyon Drawings, Aztec Art and Cave Drawings
• Science and Technology: In this class we will learn about cause and effect in our world.  We will focus on physics as we ask the following questions. 
  • What is the Impact of Dropping an egg from a great height and what can we do to keep it from breaking?  How can we apply that to a helmet design?  How can we reduce the force of impact?
  • What is the Impact of a vacuum on a liquid and a solid?  Design a "Ball Spitter".
  • What is the Impact of Rotational Velocity on a sphere?  Can that give us the spin we need on a ball?   
  • What is the Impact of centrifugal force and how does that keep us in our seats on amusement park rides? 
  • What is the result of a sudden Impact on a physical object such as ball?  How can this help us in sports?  Is that what the “sweet spot” is?
  • What is the impact of Inertia and Friction on the table cloth and china trick?  Can we make this help us in daily life and sports activities?
  • We will also investige light, mirrors and lasers.
    

This is a great camp for students with inquiring minds who want to know the reason why. Each question will have a series of cool and exciting experiment and activities to help them answer them questions.  They will also be encouraged to take it to another step and develop their own questions and experiments to prove or disprove their theories.