San Diego—November, 2018—This holiday season, the Fleet Science Center offers options to help parents keep their kids active and learning during the winter school break.

The Fleet’s full-day Winter Science Camps begin on Wednesday, December 26, and are available each weekday through Friday, January 4 (except Tuesday, January 1). The camps take place at the Fleet Science Center and feature fun and educational hands-on activities. Campers can participate in just one day or sign up for multiple days.                      

The curriculum for the science camps for grades 1–3 incorporates important skills using science, technology, engineering and math. Camp attendees will learn about magic and illusion as they make color-changing potions and observe the fascinating nature of dry ice. They will also explore the basics of chemistry through colorful activities, learn how explosive volcanoes can be and discover what it takes to be an engineer through construction challenges.

For grades 4–6, the Fleet partners with ThoughtSTEM to offer Computer Science and Programming Camps. Each day, future programmers will learn how to create different elements of a 2D video game, using features of the popular game Fortnite. However, our version of Fortnite is a bit more wholesome—characters in the game play with paintball guns! Campers will also design and code different power-ups for characters to collect in a Fortnite-style game. ThoughtSTEM engages students in computer programming through fun and interactive programming environments that allow students to be creative and work collaboratively.

Camps run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays from December 26 through January 4. Campers can sign up for a single day or enroll for multiple days of fun! For the Fleet Winter Camps, grades 1–3, prices are $60 per day for Fleet members and $65 per day for nonmembers. For the Computer Science and Technology Camp, grades 4–6, prices are $70 per day for Fleet members and $75 per day for nonmembers.

A full list of Winter Science Camp activities is included below. More information can also be found on the Fleet website at www.fleetscience.org/events/winter-camps.

 

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Full Camp Descriptions

 

Fleet Winter Science Camps, Grades 1–3

Prices: $60 per day for members, $65 per day for nonmembers.

December 26—Inside Your Insides. Investigate bones, blood, digestion and other amazing systems of the human body. December 27—Magic & Illusion. Make color-changing potions, observe the fascinating nature of dry ice and learn illusion tricks that will impress your friends! December 28—To the Extreme. Explore explosive earth events, crazy weather and other thrilling science activities! December 31—Maker Mania. Join the Maker movement! Craft, tinker and create your own incredible devices. January 2—Build It! Learn what it takes to be an engineer by testing, tweaking and retesting as you build tall towers, bridges and other construction challenges. January 3—Chemistry Craze. Explore the basics of chemistry through loud, colorful and shocking activities. January 4—Physics Fun. Make roller coasters and parachutes and discover how inertia, gravity and momentum are a part of our everyday lives.

 

ThoughtSTEM Computer Science and Technology Camps, Grades 4–6

Prices: $70 per day for members, $75 per day for nonmembers.

December 26—Fortnite 2D Game Design: Melee Battle Mode. Code game mechanics for melee-style gameplay, including enemy design, close-quarters battle, health and damage. December 27—Fortnite 2D Game Design: Battle Gear (Paintball Weapons). Design and code different paintball weapons for your character to collect in a Fortnite-style game. December 28—Fortnite 2D Game Design: Defensive Base. Code game mechanics for building a defensive base in-game, like walls, portals, quicksand and slime. December 31—Fortnite 2D Game Design: Battle Gear (Armor). Design and program different armor for your character to collect in a Fortnite-style game. January 2—Fortnite 2D Game Design: Offensive Base. Create game mechanics for building an offensive base in game, including paintball-shooting turrets, moats of lava or shark-infested water. January 3—Fortnite 2D Game Design: Range Battle Mode. Build game mechanics for range-style game, including enemy design, long-range paintball battle, basic paintball weapons, health and damage. January 4—Fortnite 2D Game Design: Battle Gear (Power-Ups & Potions). Design and code different power-ups for your character to collect in a Fortnite-style game.

Note: Students will not be playing the Fortnite game in this camp. Students will be learning how to code a 2D video game with elements representative of Fortnite and other battle royale games.

 

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The Fleet is available to showcase demonstrations of Winter Science Camp activities for media previews either here at the Fleet or in your studio. Fleet educators and demonstrators can be available to relate the science ideas behind each demonstration, and we can even bring the kids.

To schedule a media preview of Fleet Winter Science Camps, please contact Fleet Science Center Communications Manager Karla Nafarrate at 619-685-5743 or knafrrate@rhfleet.org.

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