Summer fun heats up at Marshville Elementary summer camp
Summer break didn ’ t stop the learning at Marshville Elementary .
More than 100 students were immersed in math activities , participated in guided reading in small groups and made their own creations in a hands-on science lab .
Physical education activities kept them active while arts projects helped them connect to their creative sides . Additionally , through the program ’ s focus on college and career readiness in even its youngest students , every camper had the opportunity to learn more about potential careers related to their science projects .
It was a welcome educational experience for the students who may have otherwise spent their time at home this summer , said Marshville Elementary Assistant Principal Lindsay Merritt , and it will ultimately set them up for success in the future .
“ Not only is this summer program giving them experience and opportunities , but it ’ s also trying to bridge that summer gap for them ,” Lindsay said , adding that the students had the opportunity to visit the UCPS Mobile Book Bus during the summer camp . “ They ’ re getting exposure to different ideas , different people and different things , while also getting ready for the next school year .”
As she watched a small group of fourth graders collaborate to create handmade ships , teacher Amy Lambert said she was thrilled to offer a STEM ( science , technology , engineering and math ) class that provided students with an opportunity to hone their critical thinking skills while they ’ re out of school .
“ STEM is really important because it encourages creativity , and it ’ s especially important for the girls because it encourages them to learn more about science and technology ,” Amy said , adding that a gender gap in science usually emerges by first grade . “ Honestly , I want them to walk away from this camp knowing they are capable and can do whatever they put their mind to . They ’ ve done projects that just haven ’ t worked out , and I want them to know that ’ s ok . The goal is for them to keep learning each day and to get a little bit better .”
Taking a break from building her sailboat , fourth grader Kaylee Marshall said she enjoyed having the opportunity to learn from her mistakes , work through potential problems with her partner and create new solutions .
It ’ s a lot more fun than having someone tell her what to do , she added , because she ’ s already learned a lot by attempting to do things on her own .
“ Other kids should come to camps like this one so they can learn things they didn ’ t know before . For example , I just learned a lot about things like gravity , drags and impact ,” she said . “ I ’ m getting a chance to be creative , active and learn more about science , and I ’ m having a lot of fun too .”
6 • Sept / Oct 2018 • Parent Teacher Magazine