Spring break is a great time to explore and have new experiences outside of everyday classrooms. Science Museum Oklahoma (SMO) again offers spring break camps 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday through March 18. Youth in grades one through six can attend.
“We have been doing the spring break camps for about six years,” said Clint Stone, SMO director of education and training. “We try to make sure it’s a different experience for campers each time. With our resources and a staff of trained science educators, we can offer kids an amazing camp full of experiences they can only have here.”
SMO is one of the nation’s largest science museums, with more than 350,000 square feet. Stone said its mission is to enrich people’s lives by revealing the wonder and relevance of science, a mission it has extended to Oklahomans since the 1960s.
The camps get kids to look away from their video games and learn new things in a fun, exciting atmosphere. Stone said the world is a classroom and these events give youths opportunities to explore what’s going on around them.
“I think every child already has an affinity for science,” he said. “When kids play, there’s a lot of creativity and trial and error. Play is really all about experimentation and learning more about the world around us, just like science. These camps will appeal to kids with all kinds of interests because all you really need to enjoy them is a curious mind.”
Spring breakers are split into two camps — one for kids in first through third grades, and another for fourth- through sixth-graders. Stone said the camp for younger kids is full, but additional ones are planned this summer. Spaces are available in the older group. Activities vary by age.
“On Monday, we’ll explore flight by learning about and designing slingshots, gliders, hovercrafts and more,” Stone said. “Tuesday is a little messier as we make slime and learn about bugs and some other gooey science. We’ll dive into the properties of water on Wednesday by making rivers and designing boats, investigating steam power and learning all about ice.”
The final two days, youths perform experiments in wind energy and examine recycling, pollination and the science of environmental cleanup. Friday, they look at the inner workings of electronics, drop objects from the roof and destroy things with liquid nitrogen.
Cost is $225 for museum members and $250 for nonmembers, and each child is asked to bring a sack lunch and a snack every day.
“There’s always a lot going on, so anyone who’s interested in our camps or special events should check out our website,” Stone said. “This is a fun, exciting experience that kids will only get at Science Museum Oklahoma.”
Visit sciencemuseumok.org or call 405-602-3760 to register or for more information.
Print Headline: Education break, Children get an extra dose of learning during spring break at Science Museum Oklahoma.
