Summer Science Camp offers learning in the great outdoors
The annual New Philadelphia Summer Science Camp at Camp Tuscazoar will take kids outdoors to study biodiversity and other sciences.
The annual New Philadelphia Summer Science Camp will be held July 15-19 at Camp Tuscazoar. The camp location was moved to Tuscazoar last year, said Jody Brady, a biology teacher at New Philadelphia High School and one of the camp leaders.
“There was ongoing construction at the high school last year, so we moved the camp to Camp Tuscazoar, and we had such a good experience we are doing it there again this year,” Brady said.
The camp is open to all area students entering second grade through eighth grade, regardless of the school system they attend. The theme this year is “Mission: Biodiversity,” although Brady said a variety of sciences will be explored.
“We’ll focus on the different types of diversity including ecosystems, which would include some physical and earth science related to the environment along with biology,” Brady said.
Hands-on activities include lab experiments, a chemistry demo of the day, puzzles and some surprises along the way.
“The students also will be able to create their own water balloon launchers and test them on the last day,” Brady said, adding parents and other family members are welcome to attend that day.
Brady said students will explore genetic diversity and DNA for a study of things on the molecular level. “We may do some things with bacteria as well, linking diversity with things they can’t necessarily see,” she said.
While Brady said she is not sure how many years the popular camp has been held, it has been long enough that the children of those who attended while in high school are now coming.
“In fact, we have two kids coming this year from North Carolina because their mom went to the summer science camp,” Brady said. “Their grandparents live here, so they will be staying with the grandparents for the week of camp.”
The teachers
Joining Brady will be New Philadelphia teachers Scott Houmard and Kip Brady. Houmard is a chemistry teacher who was recently named Outstanding High School Teacher by the Coalition of Rural and Appalachian Schools.
Kip Brady, who teaches biology and ecology, recently spearheaded a student project studying bobcats in Tuscarawas County. His students presented their findings at the Ohio Division of Natural Resources’ Student Wildlife Research Symposium in April.
Jody Brady has been recognized with the George F. Hixson Award, an honor given by Kiwanis International for service to the community and the local Kiwanis chapter. She also was a finalist for the Quaker Foundation’s Dr. William J. and Mae Hurst Jackson Award for Distinguished Teaching.
Together, the three will challenge students with activities they say will foster inquiry and scientific thought processes.
Details
Camp will take place from Monday, July 15 through Friday, July 19. Students will be grouped and taught by grade level, with second grade through fourth grade attending from 8:30-11 a.m. and fifth grade through eighth grade attending from noon to 2:30 p.m.
Registration is online through the school’s website at www.npschools.org/sciencecamp.aspx. Those who need a printed registration form should call the school office at 330-364-0644 and leave a message for Jody Brady.
Jody Brady said students also may register as walk-ins the first day of camp only. The Bargain Hunter readers should mention the article to receive special pricing.