2019 CAMP SCHEDULE
June 17-21
Space Science (4-5th) SOLD OUT! Call for waitlist
Brainbenders (6-8th)
June 24-28
Space Science (4-5th) SOLD OUT! Call for waitlist
Coding (6-8th) ! Call for waitlist
July 8-12
Engineering Challenge (4-5th) SOLD OUT! Call for waitlist
Coding (6-8th) SOLD OUT! Call for waitlist
July 15-19
Chemistry (4-5th) SOLD OUT! Call for waitlist
Engineering Challenge (6-8th) SOLD OUT! Call for waitlist
July 22-26
Engineering Challenge (4-5th) SOLD OUT! Call for waitlist
Forensic Science (6-8th) SOLD OUT! Call for waitlist
July 29-Aug 2
Chemistry (4-5th) SOLD OUT! Call for waitlist
Engineering Challenge (6-8th) SOLD OUT! Call for waitlist
SPACE SCIENCE - 4-5th grade - $200
Get ready to blast off into a world of fun and wonder during this special mission...
Ms. Kelly Griffith is a second grade teacher at Ashton Elementary School. As a science and classroom teacher and administrator, she has worked with elementary through college-aged students for over 15 years in Delaware, Kentucky, Virginia and Florida. This summer marks Ms. Griffith's third year teaching camps at the lab. Previous camps of hers include "Art of Science" and "Makers Week". Her favorite Fab Lab activity includes designing and creating on the vinyl cutter.
What you'll make:
- 3D printed alien figure
- DIY alien trading cards
- Laser-etched aurora borealis or moon phases
- A custom t-shirt
- Astronaut ice cream (yum!)
- Lasercut space box to hold all of your camp goodies
- and more!
What you'll learn about:
- Gravity (using a super cool gyroscope!)
- Position and rotation of the solar system
- The different moon phases
- Gases in space
- Aurora borealis
- Solar wind
- Extraterrestrial life
- and more!
ROBOTICS - 4-5th grade - $200
Want to build a foundation for robotics and engineering... while playing with LEGOs? This is the camp for you!
Claire is a rising senior at Pine View School where she has recently been named the Captain of the Jungle Robotics team. She also serves as a mentor for the FTC Robotics Club. When not volunteering at the Suncoast Science Center, Claire serves in Pine View's Technology Student Association (TSA) club and as President in the Animation club.
What you'll do:
Work in two-person teams to code, design and build a LEGO Mindstorm EV3 robot. At the end of the week, your robot will compete against other teams' robots! Plus, you'll make a custom t-shirt.
What you'll learn about:
- Coding basics
- Foundations of robotics and mechanical engineering
- Teamwork
- Leadership
- Problem-solving
- and more!
CHEMISTRY - 4-5th grade - $200
Come ready to learn and leave a chem whiz... with many take-home lab creations!
Rocket is a current senior at Pine View School. He's been involved at the Suncoast Science Center since it opened in 2015 and has founded various programs and clubs including the Rocketry Club and SPEC (Student Project Evaluation Committee). Rocket has also launched his own business, Rocket Technologies LLC which has a goal of increasing STEM education opportunities through low cost 3D printing and consulting opportunities for schools and students.
What you'll make:
- Slime!
- DIY lava lamps
- Bouncy balls from scratch
- Rock candy (yum!)
- Film canister rockets
-
Soap-powered boats
- A custom t-shirt
-
and more!
What you'll learn about:
- Chemical changes and reactions
- Lab set-up and safety
- Density
- Matter
- Energy
- and more!
ENGINEERING CHALLENGE - 4-5th and 6-8th grade - $200
Explore different types of engineering through hands-on activities and use of high-tech lab machines!
(4-5th grade Engineering Challenge camp)
Rocket is a current senior at Pine View School. He's been involved at the Suncoast Science Center since it opened in 2015 and has founded various programs and clubs including the Rocketry Club and SPEC (Student Project Evaluation Committee). Rocket has also launched his own business, Rocket Technologies LLC which has a goal of increasing STEM education opportunities through low cost 3D printing and consulting opportunities for schools and students.
(6-8th grade Engineering Challenge camp)
Dr. Janjay Gehndyu has taught students in Manatee and Sarasota County for 13 years, currently teaching at Sarasota School of Arts and Sciences. With extensive experience in STEM education, Dr. Gehndyu mentors students to be creative problem solvers who have the ability to overcome challenges. He has taught various summer camps at the Suncoast Science Center and leads innovative STEM programs at Janie's Garden and Sarasota Housing Authority. Dr. Gehndyu has a B.S. from Palm Beach Atlantic University and M.S. and Ed.D. from Nova Southeastern University. His teaching certifications include Biology (6-12), Chemistry (6-12), General Science (5-9) and ESE.
What you'll do and make:
- An Avengers-style "Thanos" glove
- Volleyball challenge - Build a contraption to launch a ping pong over a net!
- Zipline challenge - Send gadgets up and down a zipline
- Marshmallow catapult
- Dry ice rockets
- A custom t-shirt
- and more!
What you'll learn:
- Different types of engineering
- Design principles
- How a city is built
- How to read blueprints
- Designing something using moving parts
- Counterbalance
- Problem-solving
- and more!
FORENSIC SCIENCE - 6-8th grade - $200
Get ready to go beyond the caution tape and learn the ins and outs of forensic science!
Dr. Janjay Gehndyu has taught students in Manatee and Sarasota County for 13 years, currently teaching at Sarasota School of Arts and Sciences. With extensive experience in STEM education, Dr. Gehndyu mentors students to be creative problem solvers who have the ability to overcome challenges. He has taught various summer camps at the Suncoast Science Center and leads innovative STEM programs at Janie's Garden and Sarasota Housing Authority. Dr. Gehndyu has a B.S. from Palm Beach Atlantic University and M.S. and Ed.D. from Nova Southeastern University. His teaching certifications include Biology (6-12), Chemistry (6-12), General Science (5-9) and ESE.
What you'll do and make:
- Separate DNA proteins through electrophoresis
- Explore a simulated crime scene
- Ask questions to a real Crime Scene Manager from Sarasota Police Department
- DIY crime scene tools (like ID markers or magnifying glasses)
- A lasercut box to hold your camp goodies!
- A custom t-shirt
- and more!
What you'll learn:
- How to analyze crime scene evidence
- Extracting and studying DNA proteins (by using a centrifuge!)
- How high-tech machines like laser cutters and 3D printers help with solving crimes
- and more!
CODING - 6-8th grade - $200
Forget about playing video games... let's code our own! NO programming experience needed.
Julia is a rising junior at Pine View School. After taking a Java course at the Suncoast Science Center, she became hooked and self-taught herself other programming languages including HTML and CSS. When not volunteering her time at the Fab Lab, Julia is busy with activities like Student Government, Model UN, Academic Olympics, Science Olympia. She is also part of the all-state choir group and serves on the board of the Sarasota United Way.
What you'll do:
You'll master the foundations of the Python programming language through various challenges and activities. By the end of the week, you'll have created your very own text-based adventure game... and a t-shirt of your own design!
What you'll learn:
- Python coding language
- Principles of Computer Science
- Principles of game design
- Math
- Foundation for learning other programming languages
- and more!
BUILDING YOUR BRAND - 6-8th grade - $200
Build confidence and entrepreneurial skills while turning your great ideas into reality!
Rocket is a current senior at Pine View School. He's been involved at the Suncoast Science Center since it opened in 2015 and has founded various programs and clubs including the Rocketry Club and SPEC (Student Project Evaluation Committee). Rocket has also launched his own business, Rocket Technologies LLC which has a goal of increasing STEM education opportunities through low cost 3D printing and consulting opportunities for schools and students.
What you'll make:
- A logo
- A prototype for your idea/brand
- A custom t-shirt, etched-bottle and other takeaways with your logo
- and more!
What you'll learn:
- Product conceptualization
- Branding
- How to pitch/present your idea
- Logo design and formatting
- Product design
- Laser and vinyl cutting
- Problem-solving
- Critical thinking skills
- Presentation skills
- and more!
GIRLS WHO CRAFT - 6-8th grade - $200
Combine simple and fun DIY projects with skill-building during this special camp designed to encourage girls to explore STEM!
Christiana is a rising senior at Pine View School. She's been a Suncoast Science Center volunteer for two years where she sits on SPEC (Student Project Evaluation Committee). When not at the Fab Lab, she keeps herself busy with activities like Academic Olympics and Science Olympia.
What you'll make:
- LED marquee letter
- DIY Sea glass jars
- 3D printed keychains
- A custom t-shirt
- Metal stamped bracelets
- and more!
What you'll learn:
- CorelDraw design software
- Laser cutting and etching
- Metal stamping
- 3D printing
- Vinyl cutting
- Problem-solving
- Critical thinking skills
- and more!
BRAINBENDERS - 6-8th grade - $200
Enter – if you dare – into a new frontier of interactive and imaginative mathematics... We're flipping your ordinary math on its head in Brainbenders camp!
Jack is a rising senior at Pine View School and longtime Suncoast Science Center volunteer. In addition to his love for mathematics, he is an avid cellist. Jack founded the Music for Medicine program at Sarasota Memorial Hospital as well as the If Music Be The Food program. Jack is passionate about a creative approach to mathematics and problem-solving and believes this approach is critical to solve the challenges of the future.
What you'll make:
- 4D cubes
- Chicken figurines (to learn graph theory!)
- A custom t-shirt (with a neat picture proof on them!)
- Laser etched bottle
- and more!
What you'll learn about:
- Math presented in a NEW and FUN way!
- The fourth dimension
- How to solve math problems using pictures (picture proofs)
- Probability and expected values
- Graph theory
- Vinyl cutting
- Problem-solving
- Critical thinking skills
- and more!
CAMP POLICIES AND INFORMATION
Drop-Off and Pick-Up
Check-in will take place at the main entrance located near the rear of the building at 8:30am. As a parent/guardian, you are required to check-in your child in person on the first day of camp.
You are also required to sign your child out when picking them up at noon. If someone other than you will be picking up your child, please notify Suncoast Science Center (SSC) staff so that person’s name can be added to your account.
We offer curbside pick-up after camp for your convenience. Please place the car sign on your dash or rearview mirror so it is visible to staff.
Dress Code
Students should wear comfortable, fitted, casual clothing and closed-toe/closed-heel shoes. Gym or tennis shoes – NO SANDALS or FLIP FLOPS. Loose clothing and jewelry are not permitted for safety purposes and long hair must be secured.
Snacks
A basic snack will be provided each day but you are also welcome to pack additional snacks/water for your child. Please make sure your child brings a refillable bottle for water.
Release Forms
Cancellations
Student Expectations
For each student to have a positive, safe experience in SSC summer camps, we have established the following expectations.
- Walking is our preferred mode of transportation while working in the lab! Please refrain from running.
- No food or drink (including candy and gum) is allowed in classoom or machine areas. Snacks you bring will be set aside for snack time.
- The Golden Rule… Treat others as you would like to be treated! This means raising your hand to speak, respecting others’ personal space, being considerate and helpful, etc.
- Treat our machines and tools respectfully... like they are your own!
- We have two camps running simultaneously each week. Please be sure to stay with your group at all times.
Three Strikes Policy
To reinforce these rules and encourage an appropriate and safe learning environment, we employ the “Three Strikes and You’re Out” policy in relation to the above expectations.
- Reminder: A reminder of our expectations will be given to the student.
- Warning: The student will be removed from camp activities for a short period of time.
- Action: We will discuss the behavior in question when you pick up your child. This is the student’s first strike.
If the behavior continues, we will contact you by phone during camp hours to discuss. This is the student’s second strike.
If the behavior ceases to stop after the first two strikes, we will contact you to immediately pick up your child from camp. This is the student’s third and final strike.
