Would astronauts need the same suits on Mars and the Moon? (Summer Camp Chicago)

Summer Camps in Chicago

When thinking about Summer Camps in Chicago, look no further than the STEM Camps at Kids Science Labs. Space can be savage, so we need tools to protect us from extremes and that help us safely explore the mysteries we encounter on our Adventures in Space, especially if we choose to live on Mars, Venus, or Jupiter! If kids think Phoenix is hot, wait until they explore the near 900 degree temperature of Venus! On this day, we investigated various tools for measuring, collecting, and protecting us, and used innovation to design some simple tools that would enable us an opportunity to more safely explore off-planet circumstances.

Our young scientists enrolled in our Summer Camps in Chicago, solve the problems we might encounter living on mars, including:

• Exploring the basic impacts of UV (from sunlight) on uv sensitive materials

• what methods can we use to manipulate and protect us from extreme exposure to light in space

• how do we safely collect and test specimens, such as rocks, from strange places.

• how to manage and gauge temperature and other extreme environmental conditions

It’s important to not only do real experiments with teachers in Summer Camps in Chicago who are willing to join you in taking risks, but also to combine creativity and a child’s imagination to invent specialized tools that have real function such as these specialized mylar glasses, hand tools, and mag glasses. Explore more space tools with your child with this video below to further expand their concept of space tools in Summer Camps at Chicago

Can a bridge made of paper support three large elephants?

Every class @KSL starts with a question that motivates and excites students to begin to think critically about the science we see everyday. Whether in Chicago, Seattle, or D.C., bridges are a critical part of how our cities work to transport pedestrians, wildlife, vehicles, and goods safely to their destination. So on this day in Builder’s Paradise, we used everyday innovations to better understand how to make bridges stronger with shapes and durable materials, how to protect them from both physical and environmental damage, and how to customize them to meet the needs of any unique situation in our city.

Students performed problem solving experiments along several dimensions to better understand Civil Engineering and Bridge Infrastructure:

• How do we make a paper bridge stronger by changing its shape and bundling (stacking paper together to improve its density)

• Why is it important to test maximum loads of each type of material on a bridge during and after construction

• How do environmental conditions (wind, humidity, heat, water) affect bridge designs

• Where may the certain types of bridges be most useful (beam, truss, suspension, arch)

Our older students may also have looked at what can go wrong in bridge design and discussed some of the issues in our U.S. infrastructure issues with bridges that are 100+ years old, that were designed before we had cars, trucks, and massive transportation infrastructure.

For more advanced learning, please show the following video or watch it alongside your child to build problem solving with bridges

What would happen if all roads in Phoenix were made of graham crackers? (Science in the City - Roads)

Roads need to be smooth, strong, durable, and maintained or else we are going to hear about it as civil engineers. Roads also have to fit pipes, wires, and sewers underneath! During Builder’s Paradise, our innovative students at Kids Science Labs investigated

• How to make concrete with various pebble-like textures for added friction

• How potholes are created and how to use science to prevent environmental damage to roads

• Which materials would be best for building roads, and then customizing our very own yellow brick roads with strawberry infusions so driving is both safe and full of wonderful aromas

• When changes in road designs are necessary based on geographic and climate variations that impact safety and our desired driving experiences

Students engaged in problem solving on how to manufacture concrete and to keep each level of the earth flat, when pouring their own custom concrete aggregate. Each child at KSL explored the science in our city layers under the surface, including rocks, soil, clay, and minerals, as well as what happens when concrete (plaster) is poured with varying aggregate materials. This is a two-day experience @ KSL and teachers focused on enhancing confidence through overcoming design mistakes, and problem solving to improve existing designs.

Show the video to your student to learn more or watch it with them to build more confidence in understanding how roads are built in Science in the City!

Why do marathon runners need to drink more water than sprinters in the 100m dash?

We need water, and other key nutrients to keep running at peak performance, including special uniforms full of the world’s best science. Anytime you exert forces on the body, the transfer of biomechanics energy results in the loss of hydration (sweat), and electrolytes that need to be replenished in the right amounts and at the right time to have your optimal performance. Imagine washing the a pot with a dehydrated sponge…well our bodies are the same way and need to maintain balance, which is why Olympic athletes eat well, sleep well, and get their bodies well hydrated before, during and after competition.

Our students performed critical hands-on science experiments to evaluate:

• Which materials absorb moisture the best, so they can select which gear to wear in a race

• How nutrients are lost and relished by specialized juices and drinks to help athletes reach performance

• How various flavor enhancers can help and hurt our peak performance if they upset our bodies needs at any time

• How to design and innovate their own electrolyte and nutrient-rich power punch, along with a convenient camelback pouch to take with them to their competition

Watch the short video below with your child to further their understanding of why we sweat when we compete in sports, and it should help them know why parents are always asking them to drink more water!