STAC Offers STEM Summer Camps for Elementary and Middle School Students Programs Develops Science and Math Skills

St. Thomas Aquinas College will be offering five different summer science/math enrichment programs for elementary and middle school students, announces Dr. Suzanne Reynolds, assistant dean in the School of Education. The camps are made possible through the support of Orange and Rockland Utilities, Inc. The camps are supervised by faculty from the School of Arts & Sciences and the School of Education. A limited number of students can be accepted so parents are urged to register as early as possible. For more information and to register, visit: www.stac.edu/stemcamps or contact at sreynold@stac.edu. There is a $50 deduction from the registration fee if the fee is paid by May 1, 2017. There is also a $50 deduction from the total registration for siblings. Non-refundable fees are due within seven days after registration. All students will have the opportunity to visit the Museum of Mathematics (New York, NY) on August 4, 2017.

The Mathematics of Art for Middle School Students and Upper Elementary School Students

July 10, 2017 – July 14, 2017 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Students in this camp will explore key mathematical ideas such as symmetry, ratio, proportion and geometric reasoning through art. Students will be actively involved in hands-on activities, as well as technology-based activities, designed to promote 2D and 3D spatial reasoning. Students will study art from diverse cultures to investigate topics such as tessellations, fractals, and origami. The cost for the camp is $275.00.

Forensic Science Camp for Middle School Students

July 17, 2017 - July 21, 2017 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

This program is designed to give potential young scientists the opportunity to develop their interest in the practices of scientific inquiry by: working in newly renovated, state-of-the-art college science labs; using appropriate tools and techniques to gather, analyze and interpret data; thinking critically and logically; communicating scientific procedures and explanations; and using mathematics in scientific exploration. Students will solve a “Who Done It?” case and present findings on the last day. The cost for the camp is $400.00.

Robotics Camp for Middle School Students

July 24, 2017 – July 28, 2017 from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Robotics is the science and technology of robots, their design, manufacture and applications. Students will receive a robotics kit and will build and program a robot, while developing knowledge of electronics, software and mechanics. Students will use a 3-D printer to personalize their robots. The camp will culminate with a robotics showcase where students can demonstrate their robot. The cost for the camp is $400.00.

Environment Science Camp for Middle School Students

July 31, 2017- August 4, 2017 from 9:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Students will immerse themselves, both physically and mentally, in the local ecosystem surrounding St. Thomas Aquinas College. Classroom activities will include topics such as: understanding the interactions that exist between organisms and their physical environment, the effects of various environmental factors on the growth and health within an ecosystem, and investigations on how human populations use resources in the environment. In the field, students will utilize the Sparkill Creek to determine water quality and the population of the creek in multiple locations around campus. Soil sampling and other related activities will enable students to gain an awareness of the complex ecosystem surrounding the college. Finally, students will participate in a creek cleanup and will see first-hand the impact humans have on the environment. The cost for the camp is $350.00.

How to Win at Games for Middle School Students

July 31, 2017 – August 4, 2017 from 9:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

This camp will be a Combinatorics Camp and will cover permutations and multiplication principles; combinations and their application; probability; Binomial Theorem; Tesseract; spherical mathematics; and Game Theory. A quiz show with prizes will be held on the final day. The students will play with number cubes, shapes, teams, and, in the process, will learn how to work with and understand the probabilities that show up in games, math class and news reports. The cost for the camp is $275.00.

St. Thomas Aquinas College is an independent liberal arts college located on 60 acres in Rockland County, NY which provides education at the undergraduate and graduate levels. The College’s 2,800 full and part time students can choose from more than 100 different majors, minors, specializations, and dual degree programs across three Schools: Arts & Sciences, Business, and Education. The College is recognized by U.S. News & World Report in the Top-Tier for Regional Universities, by Colleges of Distinction in both its New York and Catholic editions, by Affordable Colleges Online as a top College in New York for Return on Investment, and is included as a Military Friendly School®. St. Thomas Aquinas College is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools; its School of Education is accredited by National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE); and its School of Business is accredited by the International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education (IACBE). For more information, visit www.stac.edu.