Mad Science: Do Camp at home

Our household does science.  My husband teaches Math and  Physics; I teach Biology and Chemistry.  Clearly we like STEM.  Usually in the summer my husband and I volunteer for VBS, Cub Scout Camp, and Science Camp.  We had planned to host a Science Camp at home.  Since we are in lockdown our plan is to continue school all summer and add camp activities to our schedule.  Mad Science this summer has Chemistry and Physics as the theme.

Start planning your camp.  Let’s talk about science kits.  Scrounge first for materials at home.  Clothespins can serve as test tube holders.  I buy bags of small plastic test tubes which fit in cassette cases, and substitute for test tube racks.  Dollar Tree sells test tubes with racks by the case.  (If you can shop at Dollar Tree start there for many science materials.). Buy pipettes or medicine droppers.  Add craft sticks or coffee stirrers to stir potions.  Kids love small jars to store powdered chemicals: Epsom salts, cornstarch, baking soda, table salt, citric acid, and plaster.  Label the jars.  Older kids can write the chemical names and formulas.  Add plastic paint palettes to use as reaction plates.  We use empty coffee cans or shoe boxes  to store all of the science equipment.  Decorate the box with science symbols.

After the kits organize their science kits, let them decorate large t-shirts as Lab coats.  Don’t forget safety glasses. (Kids can use them for nerf wars, too.). If you are going for a traditional camp approach, tie dye the tshirts.  I use Dharma Dyes.  Let the kids experiment with different mordants. Alum is a good mordant and makes giant crystals—add crystals to your list of science experiments.

If you have a dedicated space for Mad Science Camp, let the kids decorate posters for the walls.  Print a few Memes.  Have a contest for the best Lab Safety bumper sticker or cartoon.  The kits, posters, and  t-shirts should keep your kids engaged for two hours.  Look at you!  Your first day of camp is sorted.