Students spent a week getting their hands dirty as the Massapequa School District and Camp Invention partnered for a weeklong science camp at the Ames Campus from Aug. 8-12.
Camp Invention has been a summer staple in the district for a decade, with lessons that connect science, technology, engineering and innovation. An enthusiastic group of 110 elementary-age students spent the week rotating through five stations where they participated in discovery activities. “They get to explore a variety of different science topics,” said Elizabeth Natke, a retired Massapequa teacher who directed the camp. “Everything is very hands-on. There’s a lot of team work involved so it gives them an opportunity to cooperate and try to and solve real-world problems.”
One popular class was “I Can Invent.” Students worked in teams to take apart old electronics and toys, and then used the parts to create their own inventions. In “Crickobot,” children built their own robotic crickets fueled by solar cells.
“The Lab” had students participating in several experiments such as making slime, while “Epic Park” had them creating cutting-edge designs for an island theme park. “Camp Invention Games” fostered curiosity and out-of-the-box thinking.
Madeline Douglas, a fourth-grader at Unqua Elementary School, said the camp was a fun way to make new friends from other schools in the district. She especially liked learning about solar power. Jason McCauley, a fifth-grader at McKenna Elementary School, enjoyed learning how to use tools and developing his engineering skills.
In addition to the teachers, students from Berner Middle School, Ames and Massapequa High School served as counselors to support their children in their scientific endeavors.
