The science departments at Westminster College are putting together a
proposal for commuter science camps for students who will be entering
the 8th grade. The plan is to have 1/2 day science exercises around a
Problem Solving for the Next Millennium theme. Each project will be
presented as a problem-solving task in which some futuristic crisis
needs to be solved. These will be couched in scenarios involving space
travel and colonization and include such events as contamination of air
supplies, a fuel crisis on a space craft, ecological problems that must be
resolved on another planet. Students will be briefed on the basic
scientific principles, mathematics, and measuring techniques
needed to solve the crises. Computerized aids and simulations
may also be used. Examples of some sample projects that have been
proposed are:
We're Out of Fuel - They search for an alternative source to power a
landing module. The enrgy content of alternate fuels such as ethly
alcohol, butyl alcohol and kerosene will be inferred by measuring
changes in water temperature.
Terrafarming - "Extra-terrestial" soils will be evaluted to ascertain
their ability to support plant life. Using rapidly growing species they
will evaluate the plant growth over the course of the camp and will also
analyze the soil content.
Life and Light - Effect of solar radiation on growth and maturation of
living things. Effects under natural and the artifical light that might be
required in space travel.
I've been asked to come up with some projects that lean heavily on
physics concepts. Any ideas out there??
Thanks.
Sam Lightner lightner@westminster.edu
Physics Department voice: (412) 946-7204
Westminster College Fax: (412) 946-7146
New Wilmington, PA 16172