What makes helicopters fly? How do plants adapt to different environments? These are just some of the questions that children from first through fifth grade explore during their month at Hollingworth Science Camp, which celebrated the conclusion of its 45th summer with its annual expo and parade.
“We enjoyed 22 incredible days together, diving deep into the ocean system and its connection to the climate through our camp-wide explorations in oceanography,” says Jacquelyn Durán (Ph.D. ’18, Sociology & Education), Director of Science Initiatives at The Hollingworth Center. Campers learned about the relationship between aquatic plants and the ocean’s pH levels, explored solutions to rising sea levels and more.
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As part of Hollingworth Science Camp’s annual Science of Parade, our youngest campers march down 120th Street with artful representations of the human body systems like the digestive system, circulatory system, and the nervous system. (Photo: Nina Borland)
During the expo, campers walked their families through various science projects — including a hands-on exploration of the fundamentals of geology. (Photo: Nina Borland)
A favorite summer staple at TC, the Hollingworth Science Camp welcomes students entering first through fifth grade for inquiry-based learning. (Photo: Nina Borland)
Families lined 120th Street to enjoy Hollingworth Science Camp’s parade, the traditional celebration on the eve of the camp's final day. (Photo: Nina Borland)
After learning about sustainable energy, campers act as city planners, sharing their sustainable city designs with their loved-ones and each other. (Photo: Nina Borland)
(Photo: Nina Borland)
Rising fourth graders in the Innovators group explored aerodynamics this summer, and demonstrated Bernoulli's principle — a fundamental concept of fluid dynamics — with a ping pong ball and hair dryer. (Photo: Nina Borland)
Campers in the Detectives group, who have completed kindergarten) explored botany this summer and shared their flowers during the parade. (Photo: Nina Borland)
As part of the Inquirers group, rising fifth graders explored the principles of physics this summer through the study of structures. Here, they complete a demo with pasta and marshmallows. (Photo: Nina Borland)
The Observers, rising second graders, testing the strength of various magnets. (Photo: Nina Borland)
“After these explorations into the question of how the climate impacts the ocean, we flipped our approach and asked: how does the ocean impact the climate?” explains Durán. “We noticed the way that ocean currents move warm and cold water around the globe, affecting the climate in different regions. We continue to find ways to mitigate the impact that climate change is having on our ocean system, while the ocean continues to be the greatest climate change mitigator of all.”
Hollingworth Science Camp’s curriculum is informed by three core principles: inquiry-based learning; using the engineering process to solve problems; and leveraging creativity and community to explore possibilities. Taught by educators who are TC alumni and current grad students, campers begin to see themselves as scientists and engineers. Additional activities like outdoor play, choice time, parade art, music and field trips enrich the camper experience, facilitating even more scientific learning and good, old camp fun.
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Families joined their children for a morning of hands-on learning at Teachers College. (Photo: Nina Borland)
Camper with a hand-painted sun and self-designed wearable solar panels, representing her time learning about power (including solar). Campers in this group practiced several painting techniques while creating their suns, including painting gradients. (Photo: Nina Borland)
Rising third graders in the Sleuths group focused on learning about simple machines this summer. Pictured here, a camper demonstrates how to use an Archimedes screw to lift. (Photo: Nina Borland)
One third grader shares with her younger sister how to reduce friction with round objects during the Expo. (Photo: Nina Borland)
Pinwheels, flowers, volcanoes and more excited crowds and campers during the Hollingworth Science Camp parade. (Photo: Nina Borland)
A student in the Innovators group demonstrates how jet planes generate thrust to propel themselves forward. (Photo: Nina Borland)
Elijah, a former Hollingworth Science camper who returned this summer as an intern.
For campers, the approach stays with them for years, as demonstrated by Elijah, a rising high school senior who returned to camp this summer as an intern.
“I wanted to do something meaningful, and one of the more meaningful things I did as a kid was this camp, which creates opportunities that combine fun with how much you’re learning,” says Elijah, who attended Hollingworth Science Camp for five years alongside his siblings. “Seeing younger people discover more about themselves and the world around them is amazing, and I get a lot of meaning from seeing how they look at the world, and making a small impact on their childhood journey.”