Tech Camp 2007
Launches Imaginations

The 2007 Tech Camp took place at Jacksonville High School in the Department of Career and Technology. Nineteen fifth graders from Nichols Intermediate participated in the week-long camp. Included in the week was learning about Newton’s Laws of Motion and then applying what was learned to various activities. Some activities the students participated in were- they created airplanes from drink bottles that were propelled by balloons, designed and built a rocket propelled by effervescent tablets, designed aerodynamic paper airplanes, built a Hero Engine from a soda can that was propelled by water, put together and flew a model of the space shuttle and built a rocket. Due to inclement weather the rocket launch had to be cancelled but will be rescheduled for the begining of school.



During the week students also used wireless laptops to design at-shirt logo for their team, to investigate the definition of aerospace related terms and to research the current shuttle mission. The students took a vocabulary “Test” using a student response system, took photos using digital cameras, and competed in numerous contests for prizes. Students were encouraged to “think outside the box”; they even had the opportunity to draw their idea of what a rocket scientist looks like!




When asked about the week the Tech Camp students stated that what they liked most about camp was that they were able to use a variety technology that they had never used before like the digital cameras and laptops. They also enjoyed assembling the model rockets, airplanes and look forward to launching their final rocket when school starts.