Clinton County 5th Graders Attend Camp Cullom Academy of Science

This weekend Camp Cullom became a Science Laboratory for Clinton County 5th graders.

Clinton County fourth and fifth grade teachers were invited to nominate students 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 Frankfort, Rossville and Clinton Prairie 5th grade classes participated in the Friday evening and Saturday event.

“Class of 2022” Camp Cullom Academy of Science Attendees. A weekend of discovery turned Camp Cullom into a 90 Acre Science Laboratory for the 5th Graders of Clinton County

The weekend started with former NASA project manager Greg McCauley giving a talk “Into the Unknown” on the James Webb telescope, its deployment and early findings. McCauley worked for NASA and helped plan Apollo 15,16 and 17 missions.

The students, their siblings and parents were then invited to view Saturn, Jupiter, the Moon, Meteorites and a Space Movie under starry skies in the Galileo Gallery at Prairie Grass Observatory.

Moon as it appeared Friday Night at the Camp Cullom Academy of Science. Photo by Russ Kaspar through the 16” Schmidt-Cassegrain LX-200 Telescope at Prairie Grass Observatory using his Cell phone. The largest creators are over 50 miles in Diameter

Picture of Saturn taken by John Mahony at Prairie Grass Observatory. Clinton County 5th graders were able to see Saturn’s Rings Friday night at the Camp Cullom Academy of Science.

On Saturday morning, students gathered for orientation on Scientific Method presented by Observatory Director Russ Kaspar, followed by Drones or “Unmanned Aerial Vehicle” demonstrations by Adam Shanks and John Scott from Purdue University.

Students then were able to finish building and launch their own rocket, which they were able to take home with them. George Wyncott with the Wabash Valley Astronomical Society gave a talk on the Theory of rocket flight and then instructed the students on how to complete the building of their own rocket.

Camp Cullom board member and former Board President and Observatory Trustee Andy Schilling then conducted “Mission Control” to help the students launch their rockets.

“Mission Control” director Andy Schilling prepares to help Clinton County 5th graders launch their own rockets.

Students enjoyed a Pizza lunch and started the afternoon sessions by splitting into two groups.

Small Stream ecosystem study led by Megan Gunn, Aquatic Ecologist and her team from Purdue University
Woodland Ecosystem study led by Jeff Swackhamer, Professional Forester

Aquatic Ecologist from Purdue Megan Gunn leads Clinton County 5th graders in Stream Ecosystem studies at Camp Cullom

What kind of tree is this? Tree ID and woodland study is led by Jeff Swackhamer assisted by former Frankfort Science Teacher Mike Bever.

Next on the Science Parade, Kim Hoover with Hoots to Howls wildlife rehabilitation led a study on “Owls of Indiana”. Real live owls “introduced themselves” to the students and questions were answered about the habitats and characteristics of Indiana Owls.

Kim Hoover with Hoots to Howls wildlife rehabilitation explains what to do if you discover an injured owl.

Retired Science Teacher Mike Bever showed the Academy Students how to make bubbles, how to make them last longer…and how to make bubbles so large, two people can stand in one!

Mike Bever shows students how to make square bubbles. He used string to create bubbles over 15 feet long. Learning about evaporation, color formation in bubbles, density of air and liquid nitrogen all made bubbleology “learning disguised as fun.”

Students dissected and explored the insides of an owl by examining their own Owl Pellet, the mass of undigested parts of bird food. These pellets contained skulls and bones from birds, mice and other small animals. Students were thus able to identify the animals owls eat, using an illustrated chart.

Owl Pellet dissection lab was led by Fort Wayne’s Science Central. Students also heard a lecture on the hunting and diet characteristics of owls in the Midwest.

Leah Hardin led and planned the Academy curriculum with support from the Camp Cullom Board of Directors and area volunteers. All area fifth graders with an intensive interest in Science are encouraged to attend. Fourth grade students and 4th and 5th grade teachers from Clinton Central, Rossville, Clinton Prairie, Frankfort, Home schools and area private schools are encouraged to inquire about the popular program by contacting Camp Cullom at 765-296-2753.

Most of the budget for Camp Cullom comes from United Way for Clinton County.

Camp Cullom will be holding a Public Chili Dinner, Fall Openhouse and Observatory viewing openhouse Saturday, October 22, 2022 from 4:30 to 7:00 with Prairie Grass Observatory viewing beginning at twilight.

Photos from Science Academy Day by Russ Kaspar: