92 Acres at Camp Cullom Friday night and Saturday turned into one giant science laboratory. Approximately 40 5th graders selected by their teachers from Rossville, Frankfort, Clinton Central and Clinton Prairie participated in the Academy.
The goal of the Camp Cullom Academy of Science is to spark and fan a burning love for Science among area students. Judging from curious questioning and a few “Wow”s here and there, this goal was accomplished.
The Camp Cullom Science Experience started Friday night at the Camp Cullom Prairie Grass Observatory and Nature Center under starry skies. Students learned about the size of the Milky Way galaxy compared to our solar system, took a slide show tour to the edge of the known universe and back and peaked into a large 16″ telescope as Observatory Trustee Andy Schilling showed them Saturn and the impressive M15 Globular Cluster of Stars. Students got to hold a meteorite from space in the palm of thier hand and view the computer and paper star charts astronomers use to find thier way around the heavens. The evening included a laser guided constellation talk from Observatory Director Russ Kaspar.
Saturday was packed with more discoveries. The definition of Science and the Scientific Method were discussed. Greg McCauley CEO of the Link Observatory Space Science Institute gave a talk on “Mission to Mars–Mandkind’s Journey to the Red Planet”. His presentation included a 3-D flyover of Mars.
George Wyncott guided students though a basic rocketry class followed up by the opportunity for each student to initiate a rocket launch complete with a parachute recovery. Each student was able to keep the launced rocket.
Camp Cullom provides three types of habitats just waiting to be discovered. Students were guided through the Prairie Grass, Small Stream Ecosystem and Woodlands Ecosystem. Robert Suseland, Wildlife Biologist, Jay Beugly, Fisheries Bioligist and Jeff Swackhamer, Forester helped with this module.
A favorite for the students is a study of bubbles that can be coaxed to grow larger than 2 or 3 students put together. Retired Science Teacher Mike Bever led the “Bubbleology” module.
A new addition to the line up last year is a class that deals with the properties and importance of DNA, the code of life in every living organism. Charity Woodard led the students in a lab that extracted DNA from Strawberries and Bananas.
The Camp Cullom Academy of Science this year was chaired by Leah Harden, supported and sponsored by the Camp Cullom Board of Directors. Leah Harden has been the director for the last several years and co-ordinates and plans over a period of several months to lead the team to pull off the “Day of Discovery” for area 5th graders. “It’s an amazing event and (all at) no cost to them” said Harden.
