Technology Camp 2014!

Howdy!! For the past two weeks, I have been teaching at a summer technology camp, which is something I commit to doing every summer. It is always a great time because I get to write the curriculum, I have a small class (usually less than 13), snacks are provided ANNNNDDD I have oodles of technology tools at my fingertips, such as iPads, digital cameras, laptops, software, and online programs. Click here to read about Technology Camp from the past few years.

**WARNING! ICK FACTOR ALERT!!!**

For the past two years, I have taught the "Germs, Mold and Other Gross Stuff" camp to entering 4th and 5th graders. This year, the camp moved down to entering 2nd and 3rd graders. We do several awesome/yucky/disgusting/fun activities. Now, I am NOT one that actually enjoys gross and icky things; I am a germophobe and get grossed out VERY easily. However, there is something about teaching it that makes it tolerable! I cannot even explain it. So, here are our yucky activities:

Bird Poop Painting
Probably my most favorite activity! We do a little bird diet research, make a goopy model of the bird poop, and then paint with it.

The BEST part is that they learn how to make a QR code. The QR code is attached to the painting and reveals what the bird's diet is.

Drinkable Blood

Enough said. ;)

The Best Diaper Brand

We tested the two most popular brands of diapers to see which one would hold the most liquid. The result?? You'll have to scroll down to find out!

Couldn't fill up the diapers with just plain water..........we added yellow food coloring. ;)

We poured water in the diapers, 5oz at a time, until it couldn't hold anymore liquid.

That is one FULL diaper!

Huggies on the left, Pampers on the right.

And just for fun--this is what the polymer beads on the inside of a diaper look like. The kids were pretty fascinated with the texture of the beads.

And the winner--

Both diaper brands held about 50 ounces of liquid, but Pampers consistently held a little bit more each round. So, good to know--your baby can have about 50 ounces of pee in his/her diaper before you need to change it! I do not recommend this, however, because the diaper then weighs about 20 pounds!! (among a few other reasons, haha)

Booger Model
Ew. This one was a gross one. I'll just leave you with some pictures and move on.

I warned you about the grossness. ;)

Finally, we make a science journal and several little foldables about all of our activities on the computer. Those items are printed, folded and added to our "Germs" lapbook:

Inside the folder:

And I would be remiss if I didn't include pictures of my camp classroom! It is held at a local tech high school/college so I have no control over the set up. However, it was the right amount of space for the number of campers I had.

Also, this is in the makes:

Be excited. ;)