The Westfield Public School District hosted its fourth annual STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) Camp in July for the students of Westfield. More than 340 girls and boys entering grades 3-8 participated.
Three weekly sessions were held to accommodate the growing interest in the program by both boys and girls. Taught by Westfield School teachers, campers attended one week of STEM experiencing high-quality learning using state-of-the-art equipment and software.
Campers participated in four engaging workshops of choice consisting of hands-on, realworld STEM activities that encouraged them to think about themselves as future scientists, engineers, mathematicians, and computer specialists.
Due to the ongoing interest from the community to involve their children in STEM, the camp continually introduces new themed workshops. With a workshop for every interest, offerings included Animatronics & Robotics, LEGO Stop Motion Animation, Forensics, CAD & 3D Printing, Augmented Reality, Transportation Engineering, Food Science, Zombie Apocalypse Survival, Stop Motion Animation, Instrumental Engineering, Scratch Programming, and Videography & Special Effects.
One of the newest workshops this summer was Instrumental Engineering. Campers learned about the science of sound and designed their own musical instrument out of everyday supplies. “There is science and math all around us. Understanding the physics of sound is essential to understanding how musical instruments are engineered. STEM Camp lends itself nicely to blending the two worlds of music and engineering design,” stated James Doyle, the Roosevelt Band Director and STEM Camp Instrumental Engineering instructor.
“Every year it is awesome to see how creative, engaged, interested, and capable these campers are,” stated Sean Bonasera, STEM Camp Coordinator.
“Getting children exposed to STEM activities at a young age promotes a growth mindset where students feel successful and, at their own pace, learn and build knowledge through meaningful experiences, encouragement, and hands-on learning while still having fun. Here at STEM Camp there is no right or wrong answer. Only the process of problem solving and inquisitive thought matter.”
(above) At Westfield Public School District’s summer STEM camp, students learn how to prepare slides for use under microscopes during the CSI-themed Forensics Workshop. Led by Roosevelt Intermediate School Science teacher, Andrew Bausch, students at the table include Sophia Silecchia, Gabriella Zerafa, Hannah Burton, Joseph DeMattina, Cody Lam, Evan Alvarez, Aiden Alvarez, Joseph Michaeli, Lincoln Meyers, Erin Doherty, Sienna Pastore, and Quinlan Doherty. They are among the more than 340 campers entering grades 3-8 attending the popular camp, now in its fourth year.
