St. Bede Academy hosts 21st annual Carus Science Camp
Goldie Rapp
Peru – St. Bede Academy hosted the 21st annual Carus Science Camp July 17 – 21. The Carus Science Camp is designed for incoming 6th-grade students and focuses on understanding the fascinating world of chemistry, exploring local science-related careers and promoting science literacy among the students.
To date, more than 600 students have graduated from camp. The camp is a popular destination for students in LaSalle, Bureau and Putnam counties.
This summer, Dan Fitzpatrick, science teacher at St. Bede Academy, directed the camp with the help of Angelique Depenbrock, science teacher at LaSalle-Peru High School.
Throughout the week, the students not only learned valuable scientific principles but also discovered the wide array of science-related careers that exist right in the local community. We hope this experience has inspired them to consider pursuing their interests in science and contributing to the advancement of knowledge in the future.
Each day was filled with exciting activities that allowed the students to delve into various scientific concepts and gain hands-on experience.
“The summer camp at St. Bede Academy was an unforgettable adventure filled with learning, exploration and fun. It was a privilege to witness the students' enthusiasm and curiosity grow, and I am confident that the knowledge and experiences gained during this camp will leave a lasting impact on their academic journey,” said Fitzpatrick.
On the first day, students embarked on a journey to discover elements through captivating lab experiments. The students were delighted to perform flame testing, reveal fingerprints with iodine, make liquid nitrogen ice cream, witness liquid oxygen demonstrations and explore carbon filtration techniques. These activities sparked their curiosity and set the tone for the rest of the week.
On the second day, the students took a field trip to the city's drinking water and wastewater treatment facilities. Students had the chance to see the water treatment processes in action and conducted water testing themselves. It was a valuable opportunity for them to understand the importance of clean water and the efforts that go into ensuring its quality.
The third day was dedicated to exploring local history and its impact on technology. The students enjoyed a mule-pulled boat ride along the historic Illinois-Michigan Canal, which allowed them to connect with the technological changes that shaped the area. Additionally, the students collected macroinvertebrates at different locations to assess water ecology and played ecological games that reinforced the camp's overall theme.
On the fourth day, the students put their problem-solving skills to the test with an orienteering mystery riddle, using maps of our school grounds to navigate and solve challenges. To ignite their passion for rocket science, they built their rockets to launch with compressed air. The excitement was palpable as they eagerly awaited the moment of takeoff.
And finally, on the last day, students had a friendly competition with student rockets, Alka seltzer rockets and 2-liter water bottle rockets, reaching impressive heights in the air. The support of the camp’s sponsor, Carus Chemical Company, played a significant role in making this day even more special.