SARSEF summer STEM campers spent the last two weeks at UA Tech Park learning about astrobiology, the study of how life might evolve on other planets. This included learning about extremophiles–organisms that can thrive under extreme environmental conditions. One camper said their favorite thing they learned at camp this week was that “javelina and saguaro cactus are both extremophiles” because of their ability to live in harsh desert conditions.
As part of this education, campers were instructed to design their own planets and extremophiles, mixing scientific inquiry and artistic expression. Campers presented a number of their designs, including a Vampire Bunny who lives on a desert planet and uses its fangs to suck water from cacti; a decapus, a 10-tentacled creature who lives on the planet Banana; a Retroid Flamingo who lives on a purple planet; and a water worm with wings.
One of the goals of SARSEF summer camp, in addition to teaching STEM concepts, is to build skills such as collaboration, teamwork, and communication. For this reason, many camp activities and projects are done in teams. One student said her favorite camp activity was doing experiments: “I like that we get to work together.”
During one team building exercise, groups used rubber bands to stack plastic cups into pyramids within a time limit, which teaches the science of using tension in engineering, but it also teaches teamwork. During another round, no one could talk, forcing participants to communicate nonverbally. In another, everyone had their eyes closed except for one person, who was in charge of managing the team. These exercises facilitate team building and collaboration skills as well as leadership.
Parents reported that camp had a positive impact on their children. When asking one couple if their child seemed excited to come to camp, they replied, “Yes, every day he was up at 5:30, ready to go,” and went on to say of their son: “he was rambling on about everything he learned each day–stuff I hadn’t even heard about.”
On the last day of camp, students shared their projects with family members, closing out the week and reflecting on what they had learned. It’s always so wonderful to hear about the week from their perspective!