Science Academy at Camp Cullom: A Place of Discovery for 5th Graders

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.

Students pour over a 3-D map of the Appalachian Mountains prior to a class starting
Greg McCauley gives a talk on the planned Mission to Mars. McCauley is CEO of the Link Observatory Space Science Institute.
George Wyncott guides students in a talk on theory and flight for rockets prior to launch.
Camp Cullom is known for its 13 acre stand of Blue Stem Prairie Grass and its Prairie Grass Habitat rich in a variety of plants and wildlife. Robert Suseland leads the study group in this habitat module.
What kind of tree is this? Forester Jeff Swackhamer leads students in Tree Identification excercise.
Dr. Melissa Roche helps students with tree identification.
Spring Creek at Camp Cullom provides a rich environment for 5th graders to study the aquatic habitat at Camp Cullom.  Jay Beugly, Wildlife Biologist with  Purdue Extension Office, shows students samples of aquatic wildlife from Spring Creek

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.

Spring Creek at Camp Cullom.

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.

Sky Safari software used by skywatchers to find stars, planets, galaxies and star clusters.  Star finding technique was demonstrated at the Academy of Science Friday night session.

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.

Possible future scientists having fun at the “Hot Dog Banquet” at the end of the day. Each group gave a report on the day’s activities. Photo by Mark Seest.
Visit from a Great Horned Owl presented by a special guest capped off the Academy of Science adventure for Clinton County 5th Graders. Photo by Mark Seest.

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.

Each Student selected for the Academy received a T-Shirt at the event.