This weekend Camp Cullom became a Science Laboratory for 24 Clinton County 5th graders.
Clinton County fifth grade teachers were invited to nominate about 2 students per fifth grade classroom to participate in the annual Camp Cullom Academy of Science at the 90 acre Camp owned by the Children of Clinton County.
Teacher-Selected students from Green Meadows, Suncrest, Rossville, Clinton Central and Clinton Prairie 5th grade classes participated in the Friday evening and all-day Saturday event on the weekend of October 4th and 5th.
The “Science Weekend” started with a lecture from Andy Schilling on the size of the Milky Way galaxy compared to the size of the solar system. Students, parents and siblings then toured Prairie Grass Observatory. Meteorites and a moon rock chip from the Observatory collection were shown and explained to the students, parents and siblings. Students were treated to a telescopic view of Saturn hosted by Andy Schilling and a Laser Constellation talk by Russ Kaspar.
The Science Academy kicked off Saturday morning at 8:30 with a review of the scientific method and how it is used to search for answers to our science questions, explained by Academy of Science Co-Coordinator, Observatory Director and Camp Cullom board member Russ Kaspar.
Scientific Method:
- Observation
- Propose a question
- Research the topic
- Hypothesis “I think this is what is happening”
- Experiment
- Analysis of Data
- Conclusion
Adam Shanks with Purdue University then gave the students a demonstration on UAV’s or Unmanned Aerial Vehicles or Drones. Adam showed the students a large screen projecting the image from the flying drone. One large sprayer drone weighed 54 pounds. All drones Shanks flew for the students required a license, knowledge and compliance of FAA airspace regulations.
Students then split off into two groups, one to go to the woodlands for study with Forester Jeff Swackhamer. The other group went down to the Spring Creek bank and studied aquatic life with Megan Gunn and Shelby Bingham from Purdue University school of Environmental Science.
After a Pizza Lunch, it was “Rocket Time.”. Each student received their own Rocket, finished building it and launched it near the Nature Center under the direction of George Wyncott and Andy Schilling. Wyncott gave a lecture on how rockets fly and why they are able to travel in space when other vehicles, such as jets, are unable to make that trip in space.
Mike Bever gave a lesson on “Bubbles” by explaining the difference between Solid, Liquid and Gas states, what makes bubbles form and what makes them eventually pop. Students were encouraged to experiment with several bubble-making tools and find different ways to form these fascinating objects.
Former NASA project manager Greg McCauley gave a multi-media talk on NASA’s upcoming launch set for Thursday, October 10th to Jupiter’s moon Europa. The probe will be looking for life on this moon of Jupiter. Europa is very likely to contain twice as much water as we have on earth. Though frozen on top, it is suspected Europa’s water layer under the icy crust is warmed by volcanic vents far below the surface.
McCauley also gave a “Sneak Peek” at the Grand Universe project in Westfield. Grand Universe will be located next to Grand Park in the Westfield area and will enrich STEM learning for the midwest. The large STEM attraction is set to open July 2027. Prairie Grass Observatory, in cooperation with project CEO McCauley are discussing plans for a free student field trip to the facility once it opens in 2027.
The NASA “Europa Clipper” is set to launch Thursday, October 10th at 4:31 PM EDT. The Europa Clipper will arrive at the Jupiter system May 2031, 6 and a half years from now. Students were able to compute with McCauley’s direction, that RADIO or LASER communication signals from Jupiter to Earth takes 44 minutes to travel through the solar system.
Camp Cullom and Academy of Science is funded by United Way for Clinton County. Academy of Science this year was presented by the Camp Cullom Board and co-ordinated by Susan Kaspar and Russ Kaspar. a team of Volunteers, area fifth grade teachers, teaching faculty and several Camp Cullom board members who make the weekend possible.
