STEM Camp Returns

Sunday, 20 April 2014 06:45

Three kids attending this week's STEM open house create "Ninja Turtle Ooze

The Summer Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) camps return to Woodstock this summer

WOODSTOCK -- STEM Camp is set to return to the Woodstock area again this summer. The four week camp in August for student's aged 5-to-13 allows kids to practice fun science related experiments with qualified Canadian experts.

At Summer STEM Camp, youth explore the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math, (or STEM) through hands-on activities and again this summer, campers will get to practice their 21st century skills once again in a fun and positive environment.

Anne Ramsay, Communications Specialist at Partners in Research says several Canadian experts in their field sign on to help kids learn each summer.

"We incorporate video conferencing to enhance daily experiments and activities. We call different "STEM experts" from across Canada each day for a new experiment and to come and sort of give a demonstration and give the science behind it. The campers can then go do the experiment and explain their results to the expert."

Ramsay, says each STEM Camp activities are led by one of those Canadian experts through either face-to-face or video-conferencing interactions.

"We already have a data base from Ontario universities and colleges that are willing to provide an outreach source for them to not only provide outreach for some of their own research but to also give back to youth and inspire them to become the next generation of scientists."

An open house held earlier this week in Woodstock at South Gate Centre and allowed for new and prospective summer campers to come out and get a preview of what STEM camp is like.

"The cost is $200 dollars a week for camp, but we do have some financial aid available and if parents are interested in that they should contact us for more information, said Ramsay."

The summer camp is an extension of the Virtual Researcher on Call program run by Partners in Research in London. Upcoming camp open houses for interested parents are also happening April 23 at Tillsonburg Senior Centre, and April 30 in Ingersoll, at the Fusion Youth Activity & Technology Centre.

Ramsay says almost half of the 40 spots available are already full for the STEM Summer Camp sessions being offered in August.

Summer STEM Camp runs for four weeks this year from August 5-to-29.

Those looking to enrol their child at STEM Camp can visit Partners in Research online at: http://www.pirweb.org/pir/en/stemcamps/