What I learned at Summer Camp: Whiz, Bang, Science

On a hot and humid day near the Coon Rapids Dam in Brooklyn Park, it’s only natural that kids would find a way to cool off. Only in this case, the children have a chance to learn something in the process.
“In this camp, we like to use common household materials to make fun toys and interesting scientific experiments,” said Allison Holzer, an interpretive naturalist with the Three Rivers Park District.
This week, she’s leading a summer camp called “Whiz, Bang, Science.”
“It’s a camp that’s designed to get kids that are interested in science also out in nature and enjoying the outdoors,” Holzer said.
Science to Cool off Kids
On Wednesday, the kids put together an experiment with sponges.
“You soak them in a solution that we’re going to use to throw on each other’s T-shirts and make them different colors,” said Lila Nordeen of Brooklyn Park.
Yes, Wednesday’s camp activity essentially revolved around making reusable water bombs. Not only is it a hands-on way to teach science, it’s also not a bad way to beat the heat.
“The more you get to do the more you remember, and the more you retain,” Holzer said. “It’s important to give kids a chance to explore, so that they have a chance to ask questions and get their own curiosity sparked.”
Yet Wednesday’s camp activity wasn’t just about kids hitting each other with sponges. They also had the opportunity to see how far they could launch their sponges with slingshots.
“You can add water to make it go farther, or if you add too much water it goes not that far,” said Joshua Henderson of Shoreview.
It was a test of how much water to use, combined with determining the proper launch angle.
“Get as low as you can and pull back really far,” said Vivian Schroeder of Plymouth, describing her technique.
It was a fun experiment that not only kept the kids cool, but helped to foster their love of science and the environment.
“Maybe when I become an astronaut i can use some of the stuff I learned in this camp,” Henderson said
Delane Cleveland, reporting
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