Interactive & Structural Engineering - Week 2

For the second week we explored the engineering concepts concerned with water filtration system, wind turbines, the immune system, and human error.

We made water filtration systems and explored the 5 steps to filtering water. We designed a system out of sand, rocks, coffee filters, cotton balls, and fabric. We tested these filters by using water with dirt, sticks, leaves, and food coloring. We discussed the difference between bottled water and tap water, and we talked about water filtration around the world. We watched a video about a new innovative idea to provide clean water to developing countries called an Aquaduct: Mobile Filtration Vehicle.

We learned about wind turbines and explored how energy is turned from kinetic into mechanical. We talked in depth about the components inside the wind turbine that converts the energy. We also discussed the different types of wind turbines and how they effect the environment. We made anemometers, which are similar to wind turbines. Anemometers measure the speed of the wind. We tested our anemometers outside and in front of a fan.

We played a computer game about our immune system. We learned how our body's immune cells battle bacteria and viruses with different proteins that find and destroy anything foreign or dangerous entering our body. We briefly explored other games on the Nobel Prize website, where many of the educational games we played in the class are on.

We discussed engineering projects gone wrong by human errors. We watched videos of buildings and road ways that were not designed correctly due to a calculation error or misunderstanding between workers. We talked about how scary these problems are, but how they really can occur.

The last day we played "Who Wants to Make a Deal to be Smarter Than a 5th Grader Millionaire?", a game that is a combination of game shows. We tested our engineering knowledge and won prizes!

Discovering Wildlife in DC

The campers began their second week of Discovering Wildlife in DC by creating a field guide for the class. We spent Monday touring the Close identifying various tress and animals that live in the area. The girls then chose a tree and animal to research finding out its scientific name, habitat, diet, etc. On Thursday, we took a trip to the National Zoo. The girls certainly enjoyed seeing the many inhabitants of the zoo!

Books into Movies

In our final week of camp, the Books to Movies class finished reading Matilda- which the girls loved! Upon completion of the book, we spent a morning watching the movie of Matilda and then the next day compared and contrasted the two. It was wonderful to listen to the girls discuss the various similarities and differences that they had discovered. The verdict is still out about which was the better- the book or the movie!

Cathedral's Hidden Mysteries

The three campers in the Mysteries of the Cathedral class spent almost all of their time on-site exploring and learning about the art and architecture of Washington National Cathedral. They are now qualified to lead their families and friends on a tour!

Perhaps the highlight, and certainly the highest place visited, was the Gloria in Excelsis or Central Tower. We saw both the carillon and the change bells that are around 300 feet above ground. The views were tremendous. We were also able to discover the Darth Vader grotesque on the NW or Saint Peter Tower.

Amazing Art - Week 2

During week 2 the students took their new knowledge of color and applied it.They created some fantastic finger paintings, and also reproduced portraits by Degas and Van Gogh to combine their color skills with what they learned about the facial structure from our drawing segment.

We finished the week with sculpture. The class discussed the purpose of 3 dimensional art and the value of movement when attempting to communicate an idea in 3D. What talented artists we have in our midst!

Cooking with Math - week 2

Our second week of Cooking with Math proved to be a delicious one. We began the week making banana bread and brownies, and again experimented with measurements and ingredients to see how even a slight difference in measurement can alter the taste, texture and look of the finished product. Wednesday, the girls made their own cinnamon soft pretzels and boy were they a hit! We learned there are many steps to making these and each step is equally important to get the pretzels just right. Thursday might have been the highlight of the week for many of us as we got to divide into groups and “create our own recipes” using just a few ingredients. Needless to say, we had some interesting creations! We finished the week by making our own milkshakes and smoothies that we shared with our fellow peers. All in all it was a great two weeks cooking together, enhancing our math skills and making new friends. We look forward to re-creating some of our favorites treats at home with our families!

Lights, Camera, Podcast! Session 3 - Week 2

During the last session of Light, Camera, Podcast! the students have been working on making a short movie. They wrote a script, made a storyboard and learned the basics of video editing. They learned how to import a movie, trim clips, add transitions, music, special sound and video effects, as well as music. We also experimented with a green screen and the result is this short movie.

Enjoy!