Summer Academy STEAM 3-5
Week 2
Survivor Theme
Survival Skills Rotations
Design Process
Orienteering and Using Maps
Wilderness Shelters and Signaling for Help
This week students continued to learn about how to build shelters that could protect them in the wilderness. Students completed an engineering challenge where they had to create a sturdy shelter that could fit at least one person using bamboo sticks, plastic bags, string and duct tape. Students worked in teams of four to construct a shelter that could be tested for sturdiness and protection from the weather. Take a look at some of their designs below.
Students also learned about ways to signal for help in the wilderness. The four signals students learned about were using cell phones, safety whistles, mirrors, and flags. Students practiced using mini mirrors and the sun as a way to signal airplanes and boats.
First Aid and Food
Knots and Simple Machines
Students this week learned about various knots, their usefulness and purpose. The knots included; half, square, reef, half hitch, hitch, etc. Once the students felt successful in their knot tying skills, they were asked to perform various "tasks" that they may encounter while stranded in the wilderness. The art component was that the students were able to complete a compass macramé bracelet, which showcased their knot knowledge.
Students this week also completed a STEAM project of constructing a "marble run". They were only allowed to use white construction paper and masking tape in the first phase of design. Then the students were introduced to simple machines such as an inclined plane, wedge, and lever. The students were then asked to redesign their marble run and incorporate 1-2 of these simple machines into their construction.
Task Instruction Card
Task Completion
Macrame bracelet teamwork
Having Fun at Camp!