The 2018-19 school year doesn’t start for another two weeks, but the Westmoreland Central School District is already bustling with educational activities.
This summer, the Zone for Imagination, Innovation and Inspiration, also known as the ZI3, offered and hosted three summer camps for students - - an Innovative Inventor Camp, Maker Camp and Young Programmer Camp.
The Young Programmer Camp, for students ages nine to 11, took place during the week of August 20. This specific camp, in its first year, offered instruction on robotics and coding, and also tasked participants with several engineering design challenges that incorporated 21st Century learning skills such as critical thinking, creativity and collaboration. Students specifically designed a model of a robotic arm that could pick up an object and place it into a cup. Using Snap!, software for block coding, they also programmed Finch robots to successfully navigate their custom-made mazes.
“The students also worked with Sphero robots,” Lisa Davis, ZI3 coordinator, said. “First, they tested the robots in a pool of water and recorded their speed. Then, they created ‘swimsuits’ out of rubber bands and other materials for the robots and collected additional data. The students learned that adding a ‘swimsuit’ created more friction, causing the robots to move faster.”
The Innovative Inventor Camp, for students ages nine to 12, took place during the week of July 9. Participants completed at least six design challenges intended to spark their inventive spirit. One design challenge asked students to create a model village and volcano and develop an escape route for “residents” to safely flee flowing lava. Students particularly enjoyed watching their homemade volcanoes erupt.
Last, but not least, the Maker Camp, for students ages eight to 11, took place during the week of July 16. With more of a focus on arts and crafts, participants learned how to create, design and build their own sewable light-up stuffed animal and yarn bird. They also made American flags out of paint stirrers and hedgehogs out of old books.
Davis says the camps are an important part of the ZI3’s mission.
“I really hope that the students will take away not just the programming, but being able to collaborate with other students,” Davis said. “Being able to communicate and talk to each other using critical thinking to solve problems is a key life skill.”
The ZI3, located in the Upper Elementary School, is a unique learning space where students, staff and community members can collaborate, research, connect, design, build and develop new ideas. Past community events and classes include the Artificial Intelligence Family Fun Nights, Staying Safe Online, Google Tools for Parents, Coding and Robotics, Introduction to Flying Drones, Certification for 3D Printing and Laser Engraving, Painting and Pendulums, Cooking Healthy with Kids, Introduction to Cake Decorating, Munchies and Masterpieces and Conversational Spanish.
This summer marked the third consecutive year that the ZI3 offered summer camps. This year, 54 students enrolled.
“I hope even more students will join us next year,” Davis said.