• Home
• Parents
• Berrie Center
• News
• Site map
• Search

Ramapo Explorers-STEM 2012 Summer Academic Camp

For Middle School Students Entering 7th & 8th Grades

The Ramapo Explorers-STEM Middle School Academic Camp focuses on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) learning activities while having fun! The program, for middle school girls and boys entering 7th and 8th grades, explores STEM topics that advance the students’ problem-solving, critical thinking and teamwork abilities that are a part of the new national Common Core Standards. Students in 6th grade may apply by special recommendation only. The academic courses are taught by highly qualified certified middle school teachers and are supported by trained college-age counselors who are often teacher education majors. There is an activities supervision ratio of 17-to-1 (or less).

Location

Ramapo College of New Jersey, Mahwah

Dates

Two Weeks, July 9-20, 2012

Times

Full Day (9 a.m. - 3 p.m.) or Individual Class Options
Options: Early Drop-off (7:30 - 9:00 a.m.) & Late Pick-up (3 - 6 p.m.)

Deadlines

Early Registration postmark deadline: April 9, 2012 ($25 discount applies)
Regular Registration postmark deadline: May 7, 2012
Late Registration postmark deadline: June 11, 2012 (As space permits)

2012 Summer Program:

7:30-8:45 a.m.
Early Drop Off (‘Grab and Go’ continental breakfast items available for purchase)
Linden Hall Lounge (located on 1st floor of the Linden Hall residential complex; short-term parking is in the Student Center parking lot; see campus map on Web site: www.ramapo.edu/map/index.html)

8:45 a.m.-8:55 a.m.
Regular Drop Off
Under the Red/White Striped Tent just outside the Trustees Pavilion (parking is in the Trustees Pavilion parking lot; see campus map on Web site: www.ramapo.edu/map/index.html

9:00-9:50 a.m.
Hands-on Science!
Students enhance their problem-solving abilities and apply critical thinking skills in this advanced hands-on summer science curriculum. What will they do? Simulate cratering of the moon. Age a fossil. Use the Global Earthquake Explorer program to analyze real-time global earthquake data. Track and predict tsunami movement. Use radiometers and lamps to study solar energy as an alternative energy source. Graph and analyze findings using Microsoft Excel. Use online data for the moon’s phases to plot tidal heights at Sandy Hook. Learn how an aquifer works and discuss the controversial technique of “fracking” that extracts natural gas from rock. Review environmental concerns including how “fracking” might permanently affect our ground/well water. Students work in groups and practice teamwork. More details.

10:00-10:50 a.m.
Olympic Robotics!
Girls and boys practice their problem-solving and critical thinking skills in fun challenges using the Lego Robotics eLAB set! Student teams design and build a robot to compete in four Olympic events: Soccer, Hockey, Sumo Wrestling and Track & Field. Students learn introductory engineering through mechanical building, automation, and real time robotic controlling as they apply the basic principles of simple machines and gear ratios to achieve strength and/or speed in their robots. The Olympic events introduce a real-life robotic experience that combines mathematical and scientific application with teamwork. Teams learn 21st Century skills as they work through various stages of evaluation and revision to complete the challenge and pursue the gold medal!

11:00-11:50 a.m.
Recreation/Fitness!
Under the supervision of the CPR-certified recreation teacher and college-age counselors, organized and free play recreational and fitness activities help bring balance to the mind and body! Indoor and outdoor options each day. Indoor game lounge includes ping-pong, air hockey, billiards, electronic & board games, chess, cards, and more. Outdoor spaces and courts offer basketball, handball, sand volleyball and other fun recreational activities. Each week, there are “lifeguard on duty” optional swim days in the sparkling Ramapo College Olympic size pool!

Noon-12:50 p.m
Lunch (Available for purchase on site: $6.85 all you can eat lunch)
Trustees Pavilion

1:00-1:50 p.m.
Real World Math!
In our everyday life, we apply knowledge of mathematics and often without even realizing it! As districts across the country shift towards the adoption of the Common Core Standards, students will begin to learn to think mathematically through practical, collaborative, and problem-solving approaches. Did you know that mathematics plays a big role in the development of social networking sites like Facebook? Have you ever thought about the relationship between math and the arts like drawing and music? Did you know that manipulating geometric figures allowed for the creation of three-dimensional movies like “Shrek?” Have you ever wondered why some stores sell a product at one price while other stores sell a similar product at a different price? This class guides students to discover the importance of math in their everyday lives, while sharpening their problem solving, critical thinking and teamwork skills. Real World Math is designed to prepare students for higher academic and social expectations both inside and outside the classroom.

2:00-2:50 p.m.
iReport News!
Today’s journalism student learns and applies a broad array of media tools to make a story come to life! Applying the core competencies of good storytelling, students use teamwork and the technical skills learned in class to create video news reports. Team members assign roles such as scriptwriter, photo/video editor and cameraperson. Students use Flip cameras and the Final Cut Pro editing program to create innovative and interactive web-based presentations utilizing Prezi - an exciting, choose-your-adventure-like alternative to PowerPoint, and eye-catching photo journals with Animoto which turns photos and video clips into professional video slideshows in minutes.

3:00-6:00 p.m.
Regular & Late Pick Up
Linden Hall Lounge (located on 1st floor of the Linden Hall residential complex; short-term parking is in the Student Center parking lot; see campus map on Web site: www.ramapo.edu/map/index.html)

For Questions and Information

For more information about Ramapo College's new Ramapo Explorers Middle School Academic Camp offered through the Center for Innovative and Professional Learning, please contact:

Rosa Diaz-Mulryan, Assistant Vice President
Director, Youth/Pre-college Programs
Center for Innovative and Professional Learning
Ramapo College of New Jersey
505 Ramapo Valley Road, A-233
Mahwah, NJ 07430
(201) 684-7370 (Phone)
(201) 684-7277 (FAX)
cipl@ramapo.edu