Day 9
On Monday the campers learned more about the full (electromagnetic) spectrum of light, explored some fun hands-on experiments in the UW physics lab, and experienced another planetarium show (this time with laser lights!). The remainder of the day was devoted to working on their research projects, which they will show you on Tuesday morning.
Day 10
On Tuesday the campers are taking part in a challenge to float as many pennies as possible using just tinfoil and drinking straws. Here is a link to the camp video that we are showing during closing ceremonies (this version comes without the song):
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Monday, June 27, 2011
Day 8
On Sunday we woke to a beautiful morning in the mountains, had a quick breakfast of oatmeal, bananas, bagels, and fruit bars, and headed back to Laramie. The majority of Sunday's curriculum centered on learning how to use the spectra taken at our big telescope to characterize the physical properties of our chosen stars. We capped off the day by exploring how to design a spacecraft that could transport a human colony to another star system.
On Sunday we woke to a beautiful morning in the mountains, had a quick breakfast of oatmeal, bananas, bagels, and fruit bars, and headed back to Laramie. The majority of Sunday's curriculum centered on learning how to use the spectra taken at our big telescope to characterize the physical properties of our chosen stars. We capped off the day by exploring how to design a spacecraft that could transport a human colony to another star system.
Sunday, June 26, 2011
Day 7
On Saturday the campers started out by learning how to purify water samples taken from local rivers and ponds. We also searched for micro-organisms in the water. This was followed by learning about light and color and how astronomers use them to identify and analyze celestial objects. This was followed by a lesson in learning how to estimate large numbers by sampling small sub-sections of a dataset. Finally, we prepared for our camping trip on Mt. Jelm by reviewing first aid, camping etiquette, rope tying, and tent set-up. The camping trip included hot dogs and general campfire fun such as smores, jokes, skits, and ghost stories. We also used our big telescope on Mt. Jelm and took spectra of the stellar systems the campers previously selected as targets for potential colonization.
Purifying water
Analyzing our soil samples
Creating color images of celestial objects
The campsite
Firewood?
Taking spectra of our stars at the big 'scope on Mt. Jelm
On Saturday the campers started out by learning how to purify water samples taken from local rivers and ponds. We also searched for micro-organisms in the water. This was followed by learning about light and color and how astronomers use them to identify and analyze celestial objects. This was followed by a lesson in learning how to estimate large numbers by sampling small sub-sections of a dataset. Finally, we prepared for our camping trip on Mt. Jelm by reviewing first aid, camping etiquette, rope tying, and tent set-up. The camping trip included hot dogs and general campfire fun such as smores, jokes, skits, and ghost stories. We also used our big telescope on Mt. Jelm and took spectra of the stellar systems the campers previously selected as targets for potential colonization.
Purifying water
Analyzing our soil samples
Creating color images of celestial objects
The campsite
Firewood?
Taking spectra of our stars at the big 'scope on Mt. Jelm
Day 6
On Friday we hiked in the Snowy Range and went sledding (in June!). On our hike we took soil samples that we later chemically tested back in the lab for signs of life. We also identified the different types of trees that live at different elevations.
Identifying trees at lower elevation
Taking a soil sample at higher elevation
Identifying trees at higher elevation
Getting ready to go sledding
Crazy counselors
The Snowy Range
On Friday we hiked in the Snowy Range and went sledding (in June!). On our hike we took soil samples that we later chemically tested back in the lab for signs of life. We also identified the different types of trees that live at different elevations.
Identifying trees at lower elevation
Taking a soil sample at higher elevation
Identifying trees at higher elevation
Getting ready to go sledding
Crazy counselors
The Snowy Range
Friday, June 24, 2011
Day 5
On Thursday we were visited by astronaut Dr. Bernard Harris and a representative from ExxonMobil. The campers had a great time learning about the challenges of space flight, eating lunch with Dr. Harris, and asking questions about flying on the space shuttle. Much of the day's curriculum centered around space flight, including testing the "space suit" material and planetary landers our campers made. Only a couple of the landers broke the raw eggs they were carrying after a drop from a 40-foot tall building.
Dr. Harris
Testing our space suit material
14 layers of paper, foam, foil, ...
Simulating a hit by a micro-meteoroid
Testing our planetary landers. As for the space suit design tests, a budget restriction was employed so the campers had to be creative in what they could do with a limited amount of material.
A vacuum suit
Preparing for tomorrow's hike in the Snowy Range
On Thursday we were visited by astronaut Dr. Bernard Harris and a representative from ExxonMobil. The campers had a great time learning about the challenges of space flight, eating lunch with Dr. Harris, and asking questions about flying on the space shuttle. Much of the day's curriculum centered around space flight, including testing the "space suit" material and planetary landers our campers made. Only a couple of the landers broke the raw eggs they were carrying after a drop from a 40-foot tall building.
Dr. Harris
Testing our space suit material
14 layers of paper, foam, foil, ...
Simulating a hit by a micro-meteoroid
Testing our planetary landers. As for the space suit design tests, a budget restriction was employed so the campers had to be creative in what they could do with a limited amount of material.
A vacuum suit
Preparing for tomorrow's hike in the Snowy Range
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Day 4
On Wednesday we made an excursion to a popular nearby mountain range where the campers took an "alien landscape hike" and searched for features that could possibly support a new colony of Earth emigrants. Journaling is embedded into the camp curriculum, and this year we are experimenting with video journaling. On the hike, for example, campers took videos of habitats that could potentially sustain life, wrote about it in their notebooks, and later on will edit the videos on the computer. Each camper will bring home their video journals on a USB memory stick.
We also studied the various facets of nutrition that would be required for a long space journey (and everyday healthy living here on Earth!), we designed and built landers that will safely cushion delivery of a vehicle to another planet, and had some rec time at the UW climing wall. We capped off the day with a visit to Red Buttes Observatory, where we observed stars chosen for their potential to have a habitable planet in orbit. We made and ate ice cream using liquid nitrogen for our evening treat.
Preparing for the hike
On the rocks at Vedauwoo
The Snowy Range in the distance
Identifying trees and other forms of life
Journaling and snack time
Choosing a star to observe (and hopefully visit!)
Observing our chosen stars at Red Buttes Observatory
On Wednesday we made an excursion to a popular nearby mountain range where the campers took an "alien landscape hike" and searched for features that could possibly support a new colony of Earth emigrants. Journaling is embedded into the camp curriculum, and this year we are experimenting with video journaling. On the hike, for example, campers took videos of habitats that could potentially sustain life, wrote about it in their notebooks, and later on will edit the videos on the computer. Each camper will bring home their video journals on a USB memory stick.
We also studied the various facets of nutrition that would be required for a long space journey (and everyday healthy living here on Earth!), we designed and built landers that will safely cushion delivery of a vehicle to another planet, and had some rec time at the UW climing wall. We capped off the day with a visit to Red Buttes Observatory, where we observed stars chosen for their potential to have a habitable planet in orbit. We made and ate ice cream using liquid nitrogen for our evening treat.
Preparing for the hike
On the rocks at Vedauwoo
The Snowy Range in the distance
Identifying trees and other forms of life
Journaling and snack time
Choosing a star to observe (and hopefully visit!)
Observing our chosen stars at Red Buttes Observatory
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