Students Explore STEM Topics at Summer Camp

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Hundreds of Mansfield ISD students spent part of their summer experiencing that science can be fun and interactive.

MISD’s Science Camp allowed kids entering grades 1 through 5 to engage in hands-on labs and experiments while studying science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).

“The children get an opportunity to really enjoy school in the summer with science,” said camp administrator Daniel Beauford. “It’s very much a camp feel.”

One of the most popular activities was a lockbox escape room, in which students solved puzzles and received clues to unlock boxes and get a prize.

Students also tinkered with circuits, played with robots, launched catapults and built putt-putt golf courses with recycled materials.

Students enjoyed solving puzzles to open the lockboxes.

“In mini golf, I learned engineering,” said Genesis Hunter, an incoming fourth-grader at Willie E. Brown Elementary School. “It was fun, and we got to build things.”

This year, the district extended the science camp to two one-week sessions to accommodate more students. A total of nearly 600 students attended the camp.

Beauford said although the projects are fun, his goal is to teach students how each activity links back to STEM topics.

“Some of the time, they don’t even know what they just did, and then when you explain the science behind it, they’re like, ‘That’s what that was?’ So that’s pretty awesome,” Beauford continued.

The first camp session ran from June 4 to June 8. The second session began on June 11 and will wrap up on June 15.

On the last day of each session, the students show their parents everything they learned that week.

Organizers said they’re excited to see so many kids being passionate about science. They expect camp attendance to continue to grow.

Kids Learn the Wonders of Water at Science Camp

When you’re having so much fun that you forget you’re learning, that’s what coordinators at Mansfield ISD’s summer science camp call a win.

Young scientists entering grades 1-5 participated in various labs and experiments focusing on this year’s camp theme—water. The topics covered ranged from conservation, hydroelectricity, pollution and purification.

“We try to combine keeping their education going and making them realize that education is not just sitting in a room and writing,” said camp coordinator Daniel Beauford. “They’re learning things without even realizing that they’re learning.”

Kids learned about the water cycle in one of the various sessions.

MISD Science Camp is being held June 19-23 at Brooks Wester Middle School. The program is in its fifth year and keeps gaining momentum. Last year, approximately 300 kids attended. This year, the camp maxed out at approximately 420 students.

“There’s a lot of kids here eager to learn. It grows every year, and that’s because of the different experiments and hands-on activities we provide. We have 35 of the best teachers in the district heading these science lessons,” said Beauford.

Incoming third-grader Jackson James said his favorite activity was creating an aquifer out of ice cream and toppings that he later got to eat. He said he learned some valuable information that he can share with others.

“I learned that 75 percent of our body is made out of water,” said the eight-year-old. “We’re also doing a PSA (public service announcement) to teach people not to waste water.”

As interest continues to grow in the camp, camp coordinators said they may need to expand the camp to two weeks to accommodate all the children. It’s a problem they said they’re happy to have.

MISD Camps Make Summer Learning Fun

Students dressed up in the conservation costumes they created.

With fashion shows being held, mysteries being solved, and neat projects being made, it was hard to believe that a science camp was in session.

More than 300 Mansfield ISD kids and teachers got the chance to experience that science is not boring.

“We say that science is fun, but science camp is amazing,” said Daniel Beauford, the administrator of the MISD Science Camp. “I love seeing the kids get excited about science.”

MISD Science Camp 2016 was held at Thelma Jones Elementary School on June 20-24. Students from kindergarten through third grade all toured different stations to learn real-life applications of science.

This year’s theme was conservation. The activities ranged from experimenting with alternative fuels and making water filtration systems to making lava lamps and using recycled items to create costumes.

A teacher demonstrates a homemade filtration system.

The science camp, which is in its fifth year, was planned by gifted and talented specialists from across the district who came together to create an engaging, hands-on science curriculum.

“Having high-quality summer learning opportunities is a commitment that MISD has made to help students stay on track to achieve their college, career and life goals,” said Marie Medina, program coordinator for advanced academics. “I am proud that we have so many educators who are willing to give up part of their summer to be there for the kids.”

Other than science camp, MISD also offers creativity camp; preparation for middle school math; science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) camps; and college readiness courses.

View a full list of summer offerings here.