Math-Science Computer Camp
Warner Lake Park
Week 1 & 2 Third and Fourth Grades objectives:
- Students will be able to gain an understanding of soil and its components.
- Students will be able to compare earthworm numbers in 2 types of soil.
- Students will be able to demonstrate environmental awareness of the Minnesota Park system.
- Students will analyze data to determine which soil type contains an abundance of earthworms.
Activities:
Day 1: Students are introduced to the rules and regulations of the park by one of the teachers. A speaker from Stearns County Soil Conservation District presented information pertaining to soil types, pollution, and conservation. One of the teachers, then, reviewed the proper usage of a compass with the students. Students were broken down into four groups and taken on a short (2~30 minute) nature hike around the lake with a teacher for each group. Students, teachers and counselors were given a map to follow with a compass. The nature hike's purpose is to help the students develop their orienteering skills and to familiarize them with the surroundings (soil and vegetation types) in the park. The remaining time was spent playing an environmental game such as "Predator-Prey" or "Oh Deer."
Day 2: One of the teachers described to the students the structure and function of worms. The students were, then, asked to discuss in their groups where they were going to dig for worms exactly in the park and make a hypothesis as to which place would have more worms. Teachers, counselors and students went back out the park trails to dig worms and collect data for computer generation. If time permits, play another game (which ever was not played the day before).
Day 3: Four stations of games were planned for the students to work through.
Station 1: Memory Game/Camouflage Activity
Station 2: Orienteering Game
Station 3: Construct a Leaf Book
Station 4: Observation Game
Each team had 30 minutes to complete each activity. Everyone wins!
Week 5 - 7th and 8th Grades objectives:
- Gain an understanding of the Minnesota park system and the importance of environmental conservation.
- Conduct chemical tests to determine the water quality of 2 different water sources.
- Gain an understanding of types of water pollution.
- Analyze data to determine water quality of a given source of water.
Activities
Day 1: Students were introduced to the park rules and regulations followed by a speaker from the Department of Natural resources concerning water pollution and conservation. After, the students were given maps and taken on a hike around the lake (30- 45 minutes). Once the hikes were finished students were instructed about the testing procedures and techniques for the water study.
Day 2: Students were taken to Lake George to collect water samples and to Warner Lake to do the same. Each group conducted 5 tests; phosphate, nitrate, pH, temperature, and dissolved oxygen. From these tests they were to determine the water quality (eutrophic, mesotrophic, or oligotrophic) of the two sources and compare date to answer why one source might be more contaminated than the other. Once all tests were completed students engaged in a game of Prey Deer".
Day 3: Three stations of games were planned for the students to compete against one another. Six teams were chosen, where 2 teams compete against each other at each station for quickness and accuracy.
Station 1: Memory Game/Camouflage Activity
Station 2: Orienteering Game
Station
3: Scavenger Hunt
Each team had 30-45 minutes to complete each activity. Everyone wins
