Students Explore the Mysteries of Learning at Jurassic Jones Camp with Milan CARES Central
The unknown continues to fascinate humans as it has for generations. We are attracted to the mystery and adventure often tied to them, thus making the unknown the perfect basis for popular media. Jurassic Park utilizes the unknown of these peculiar reptiles. Much of the information we have of dinosaurs is based solely on inferences scientists have made based on their bone structure. While these highly trained professionals continue to make educated guesses from the information we have, they still do not hold all the answers since we are unable to see them alive with our own eyes. The unknown is also used throughout Indiana Jones and his many precarious adventures. The Ark of the Covenant, a cardinal relic of Judaism, was lost in 586 B.C.E. during the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem by the Babylonians and has yet to be recovered. While many religious leaders have claimed to possess the original Ark, it has not been proven. The mysterious disappearance and loss of the Ark has drawn many people to search and craft tales surrounding its search, as done by Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark. Because of the mystique of dinosaurs and Indiana Jones, combining the two franchises to make Jurassic Jones Camp has created a unique and interesting avenue for students to explore much of the unknown in our own world. Exposing them to art through dinosaur builds, or to chemistry through volcano creations, or to paleontology through mock excavations, we allow these students to uncover new, exciting ways to learn about the world around them and make sense of the mystery that is learning.
On the first day of camp, students in K-3 were given a chalk egg and tasked with carving into it to uncover the dinosaur inside. After discovering their dinosaur, students then learned the name and facts about them. In addition to this, these students learned about the purpose and importance of paleontology as well as the unique methods employed by those in this profession.
Coinciding with this, students in grades 4-8 completed a mock excavation where they unearthed plastic dinosaur bones from sand, assembled their findings into a complete skeleton, and decorated them with clay. Additionally, students in this age group experienced the complexity and ingenuity of archaeological grids through a grid maze.
On day two of Jurassic Jones, students delved into the universe of Indiana Jones through an escape room, an obstacle course, and Boulder Dash–a recreation of the iconic boulder chase. By recreating famous aspects from Indiana Jones, these students were able to sharpen their puzzle solving expertise, while also experiencing the value of communication and teamwork.
On the third and final day, students conjoined their scientific and artistic minds by crafting and designing a working volcano out of cardstock, newspaper, and string. Furthermore, these students discovered the resourcefulness of civil engineers by building a bridge capable of holding 100 pennies from popsicle sticks. These activities foster outside-of-the-box thinking, encouraging these students to continue to find unique solutions to problems they may encounter.
When asked about their favorite aspect of camp, Quentin Plymate and Trey Antill stated, “We enjoyed making the volcano. We liked seeing how we can make fun science experiments with items found around our homes. It made us realize how easy and accessible science is.”
In addition to the technical STREAM concepts involved, campers developed many soft-skills as well, including, effective communication, critical thinking, and adaptability. Throughout camp students were tasked with solving problems by finding efficient, yet creative solutions to modern problems; guiding their peers through various tasks through vocal communication; and evolving with their ever changing environment. By emphasizing skills such as these, the students have the opportunity to improve upon and experience skills that are not as visible in a traditional classroom setting, but remain critical in achieving a successful future.
When asked about what value these camps provide outside of traditional STEM education, Director of Milan CARES Central Tina Mutz stated, “The best part of the camp is witnessing the palpable excitement of the kids when they learn and experience something new. Seeing their faces light up at different points during camp continues to remind me to remain excited and passionate about providing them with unique and fun experiences that advance their education. Furthermore, camps such as Jurassic Jones bond students who usually wouldn’t interact with each other in a traditional classroom setting come together and learn the many shared interests they have.”
Genesis: Pathways to Success would like to thank Milan CARES Central for their cooperation and endless dedication to nurturing the minds of these young explorers, encouraging academic excellence and igniting their imaginations. We would also like to thank the Milan Community School Corporation for graciously welcoming us to their facility and allowing us to partner with them and bring unique learning opportunities to their students.
If you have questions regarding A Summer of STREAM, please contact the Genesis: Pathways to Success Office by emailing info@genesisp2s.org, calling 812-933-1098, or visiting 13 E. George Street, Suite B, Batesville, IN 47006.
