Looking for something to occupy the kids over the summer? Well, there are lots of science activities around
SCHOOL’S OUT for summer, a thought that fills kids with happiness but can fill their parents with dread. The endless curiosity and energy of kids makes it difficult to keep them occupied for two whole months.
Science camps designed to exploit this curiosity are the perfect solution to keep budding young boffins entertained and can even convert science sceptics. Their rise in popularity means a number of science programmes are now on offer in July and August.
The Centre for Advancement of Learning of Maths, Science and Technology (Calmast) at Waterford Institute of Technology is offering a one-week science camp for 10 to 14-year-olds this July. With an emphasis on learning through fun, the camp introduces kids to engineering, biology, computing, and even forensics.
“We’ll have a crime scene, and the kids have to solve a murder,” says Sheila Donegan, co-founder of Calmast. The centre conducts a number of science-related events including the Maths Week Ireland programme that runs every autumn. Further information about summer events can be found by visiting the Calmast website at calmast@wit.ie
The week-long Space Camps being held at the Blackrock Observatory in Cork may be the perfect choice for astronomy enthusiasts. Each day will have a different space- or science-related theme, with kids getting a chance to design their own rockets during the course.
The camp is suitable for eight to 12-year-olds and is perfect for rainy Irish summers with plenty of activities planned for indoors. The Space Camp programme is ideal for kids who might be a bit hesitant about joining outdoor sports camps, according to organiser Frances McCarthy.
“We have kids with different backgrounds and understandings of science, but all are fascinated by space and we try to capture that fascination.” More information can be found on the website bco.ie and at 021-4357917.
For active kids, how about a sports camp with science thrown in? Researchers at Clarity, the Irish centre for web sensor technologies at Dublin City University, created sophisticated games that incorporate physical exercise, along with spatially aware audio processing and intelligent object tracking.
Last year, 450 kids played the Clarity-designed sheep-chasing and dance-mat games, catching 774 virtual sheep and completing 5,712 spellings. This year, the programme has been expanded to offer a whole day’s worth of activities.
Information on the programmes for the week-long sports camps can be found on the DCU website at tinyurl.com/2ajpl34 and at 01-7005797.
Anyone 4 Science is hosting a number of science camps across Munster and Leinster for five to 12-year-olds and can be contacted at 0404-40563 and at anyone4science.com.
Science Mania are running four-day science camps in the Leitrim, Roscommon and Sligo areas for ages five to 12. Topics range from “microbe magic” to “crazy chemistry” and lab coats and goggles are provided for the full scientific experience. More information can be found by contacting 086-2052403 or sciencemania.ie.
Finally, the high-tech trend is continued at Whizzkids multimedia summer camps, which offer web design, movie-making, online gaming and sports activities as part of a programme available at a number of university locations. The camps in Galway, Dublin, Cork and Limerick cater for eight to 17-year-olds and the company can be contacted at whizzkids.ie or at 061-339178.
