STAC Offers STEM Summer Camps for Middle School Students

(Sparkill, NY— April 5, 2018) — St. Thomas Aquinas College will be offering four 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 Dr. Reynolds at sreynold@stac.edu. There is a $50 deduction from the registration fee if the fee is paid by May 1, 2018. There is also a $50 deduction from the total registration for siblings. Non-refundable fees are due within seven days after registration.

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

July 9, 2018 – July 12, 2018 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 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. Students will create original art work which will be displayed in the Azarian McCullough Art Gallery on campus. The cost for the camp is $300.00.

Forensic Science Camp for Middle School Students

July 16, 2018 - July 20, 2018 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.

Emerging Technologies: Robots, Drones & Virtual Reality Camp for Middle School Students

July 23, 2018 – July 27, 2018 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Campers will explore robotics, virtual reality (VR) and unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) while having fun and experiencing the world of science and engineering. By applying computer science, engineering and creative skills to innovative projects, campers will gain insight into all three of these areas through hands-on experiences. Campers will build and program robots, which they will take home. Campers will create a 3D virtual world that can be experienced with state-of-the-art 3D headsets and will learn to pilot drones and explore the capabilities of aerial photography. These activities will enable campers to have a meaningful introduction to some of the fundamental principles of science and engineering, improve their critical and computational thinking abilities and advance their teamwork skills by collaborating with their fellow campers to create solutions. The cost for the camp is $400.00.

Environmental Science Camp for Middle School Students

July 30, 2018- August 3, 2018 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 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 the investigation of how human populations use resources in the environment and the implications. 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 understanding 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.

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 Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE). For more information, visit www.stac.edu.