Children in fourth- through eighth-grade recently attended a STEM camp coordinated by Iowa State University Extension on the Upper Iowa University Fayette, Iowa, campus.
FAYETTE, Iowa (July 3, 2013) – The Upper Iowa University campus was the host site for a week-long science-based camp coordinated by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach (ISUE) in Fayette, Iowa. The camp had the highest attendance of similar middle school camps.
The camp, targeted towards 4th to 8th graders, was made possible by a grant received from the Fayette Community Foundation. The grant allowed ISUE to purchase two robots and a laptop for its growing student body. This camp is part of Iowa Governor Terry Branstad's support of the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) educational initiative.
"This is an opportunity to get the local community involved and to further youth interest in robotics, science and technology," said Dr. James Jacobs, assistant professor of Information Technology in Upper Iowa University.
The week-long camp operated with a specific theme for each day. The first day of the camp focused on animal science and biology. Students not only learned about farm animals, they were also able to witness the dissection of a pig's heart. The second day covered the topic of food science and students learned about the science behind cheese and were able to produce their own home-made mozzarella cheese. The third day, which was supervised by Dr. Jacobs, explored the subject of robotics. Students learned about Lego robotics and increased their knowledge of information computing. The fourth day covered the fundamentals of physics, and the final day concentrated on renewable energy with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources leading the discussion.
Later in the day, students participated in a community service opportunity. They were given protective vests and guided to the UIU bike trail to pick up trash.
Photos from the camp can be viewed at www.flickr.com/photos/upperiowauniversity.
About Upper Iowa University Founded in 1857, Upper Iowa University is a private, not-for-profit university providing undergraduate and graduate degree programs and leadership development opportunities to some 6,200 students—nationally and internationally—at its Fayette campus and learning centers worldwide. Upper Iowa University is a recognized innovator in offering accredited, quality programs through flexible, multiple delivery systems, including online and independent study. For more information, visit www.uiu.edu.
Contact:
Monica Bayer Heaton
Associate Vice President for Communication and Marketing
Phone 563-425-5773
Cell: 515-291-2070
heatonm@uiu.edu
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