Campers then hypothesized different ways to “Cool Your Cola”. After multiple experiments that involved testing the cans of cola in water, ice, freezer and refrigerator, the campers identified the best way to cool your drink is by giving it an ice bath! Next, they explored the three laws of motion by creating a domino chain reaction incorporating various criteria and materials. Campers worked in groups and each group had different challenges to face to get the right “domino effect”. Kanoodle…. Bless You! Oh, wait! Is a brainteaser where students solved brain-teasing puzzles. Our campers are geniuses based on solving the hardest level. Their reactions were priceless after learning that they had solved all the brain-teasing puzzles. After lunch the geniuses were introduced to Sphero Indi cars. Sphero Indi cars are coding robots that move based on color squares tiles that student arrange on the floor. Campers programmed their cars to successfully drive through an obstacle course using their coding skills and saw how far they could move their car without stopping. Staff commented “What a great start to the week!”

Mr. Wes challenged their STEM brains by introducing them to Pinball Anatomy. They were introduced to the basic functions of pin ball machine and then was able to design their own working creative pinball machine. These machines were made from everyday items and needed to have properly functioning parts such as flippers, drains, holes, bumpers, and plungers using a spring. Wow, what a brain break the campers had! They had to make a square using five puzzle pieces. Sounds easier than it looks! In the end, all groups were able to accomplish the task and solved the puzzle before time expired. In the afternoon, they continued their quest of becoming inventors by designing an animal and bringing it to life with lilBits circuits. Each group created a different animal. The creativity was endless, and all animals had successful moving parts.

After students returned from the fieldtrip, Ms. Deb graduated each camper to a Chemist by having them make soda invisible. They mixed two chemicals to create both a chemical and physical reaction causing the dark soda to become clear. Who remembers the game at the famous Kennywood where you had to use your steady hand to get the ring around the moving object without it touching? Today, the campers made their own device and challenged themselves to do the same. Not as easy at is looks, or did it ever look easy?

They ended the day with an escape room “Escape the Conference Room”. Some escaped and some were stuck inside. Everyone escaped evidentially to return the next day.

If that didn’t wake them up, they were on a mission to rid snakes from a danger zone and get them to safety with an activity called “Seize the Snakes”. Campers worked together to create a device using various materials to remove the snakes from the danger zone. They had to see how many snakes they could safely remove with the device they designed. Campers collaborated to create several innovative devices.

Did you know that you can do more than just blow bubbles? There is a whole bubbleology world out on the Sed (Primary Sedimentation) tanks. Campers explored the components of bubbles by a series of challenges to create new recipe for the best bubble solution. We even had bouncing bubbles.

In the afternoon, they were able to show all of what they learned about ALCOSAN through a quiz gameshow. It was a tough competition; they really knew their stuff. As always, they ended the day with a pizza party, awards, and certificates. Campers conversed about their favorite parts of camp. We look forward to seeing everyone next year for another fun and exciting week of ALCOSAN’s Summer Science Camp.

 After that, they learned about the Earth’s layers and the meaning of each one. The campers each created a 3D model of the Earth using Play Doh. Later in the afternoon, they became little engineers with the Tip Top Timber Challenge. They had to recreate a design with wooden blocks given a specific number of blocks to build with. After that, they made their own bubble wand using 3D printers. Campers used a program called Tinkercad that allowed them to use different shapes and tools to build it.

Campers then engineered a working prosthetic device “Fit for an Animal” where they used multiple materials to create the perfect appendage for their animal. After lunch, was the Bird Beak Challenge. They all had 30 seconds to gather as much food as possible utilizing a beak, the camper with the most won. Later in the afternoon, they continued their engineering skills with “Crank and Rescue”. They worked in groups to construct a makeshift cranking device by using engineering design process using a predesignated set of materials. They ended the day with learning how pollutants can be harmful to aquatic life and discussed ways to decrease the amount that enter the rivers.

They observed various microscopic organisms, such as amoebas, euglenas, and paramecia. But the adventure didn't stop there. Each student had the unique opportunity to observe their own DNA under the microscope! They collected cells from inside their cheeks, creating a direct and personal connection to the science they were studying. An incredible day of learning and discovery!

Once they returned, they created gyotaku prints of native fish, identifying their parts and their habitat. We can’t forget about “Saving Sam”. The campers enjoyed problem-solving to engineer a rescue method for our pet Sam (gummy worm) whose boat capsized, and his life jacket is stuck under his boat.

Campers also got to create their own pet using circuits called littleBits. They tested and designed a device to allow the pet to rid their waste properly. They loved seeing all the different types of circuits they could make. They had to build a hut out of hula hoops to have a home to protect their pet from predators. The creativity was endless. In the afternoon, they were able to identify the parts of a plant or animal cell by creating models of each using various candy and food items. They got to eat it at the end. They finished off the day with an animal tracks scavenger hunt. They learned basic information about various animal tracks and were able to identify tracks of twelve different animals in the scavenger hunt.

April Claus and her intern Jen from Interactive Environmental Programs discussed the reptiles and amphibians who are native to Western PA. She shared with the students the importance of keeping our water clean for the animals to live a safe and healthy life. The staff tested the campers' knowledge from the week to see how much they learned about ALCOSAN with a quiz game show to finish off the week of fun. Turns out, they knew so much and were so excited to answer the questions.

Each camper left with a Summer Science T-Shirt and a Certificate of Participation. We heard a lot of good things from the campers. One even said, "ALCOSAN is like one huge science class."