2016-2017
f ox c hapel a rea s chool d istrict s tate of the s chools
Summer Learning
T
his summer, the district again off ered summer learning opportunities for students at
all grade levels. Th is included the elementary Summer Learning Academy, the middle
school Summer Learning Academy along with a project-based learning module, a middle
school summer science program, the Western Pennsylvania Summer STEMM Academy
for high school students, and the LAUNCH program for incoming high school freshmen.
New this year was the Summer STEAM Camp for elementary and middle school students.
First-Ever STEAM Camp Provided Summer Fun
As STEAM becomes ever more important in students’ academic lives during the school
year, it became clear that the level of engagement is worthy of some summertime fun.
So for the fi rst time ever, elementary and middle school students had the opportunity to
participate in the Summer STEAM Camp. Th e camp events were well-received and each
camp selection was sold out!
Camp sessions infused the components of STEAM – Science, Technology, Engineering,
the Arts, and Math. Th e full-day camp was held for one week and on the fi nal day, parents
were invited to an open house in which students demonstrated what they had learned and
created. Topics off ered included coding, chemistry, construction, robotics, Fab Lab, drones,
making iMovies, and creating an escape room.
“Escape rooms are the hottest new trend and fastest growing form of entertainment,” said
Kerr Elementary School teacher Carli Hackett who led the Escaping STEAM camp in
which participants visited Enter the Imaginarium in Harmarville to experience an escape
room challenge. Th ey then researched ideas to learn how to develop and incorporate
technology to design and build their own escape room including developing the back story
of the game. On the fi nal day, parents were invited to escape the room the students had
created.
“Students gained confi dence, collaboration skills, precision, perseverance, problem-solving
skills, and knowledge of how to create pathways that are intertwined to move the game
along for multiple players,” Mrs. Hackett said of the Escaping STEAM camp.
20 Fox Chapel Area