Area students explore science and technology at NICC Waukon's STEAM Creations: Makerspace Camp ...
Twenty-four students in fifth through seventh grades from all throughout northeast Iowa participated in STEAM Creations: Makerspace Camp from June 5-7 at Northeast Iowa Community College’s (NICC) Waukon Center. Many of those students are pictured in the top photo with NICC Waukon Center Director Erica Nosbisch (far right) explaining to parents and other community members what students participated in at STEAM Camp during a final public presentation at the end of the Camp. At the STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math) Camp students learned about 3D printing, video creation using green screen and stop-motion technology, interactive virtual reality, Oculus Rift, coding, robots and engineering. The camp is designed to allow participants to create and share ideas, equipment and knowledge while applying their discoveries to help make their community a better place.
Students completed projects and entered them into an "e-portfolio," which was described as an online folder under the administrative guidance of teachers featuring specific projects and work for each student. When a project is loaded into the folder, parents can receive a text message and can then access those projects at any time for viewing. STEAM Camp facilitators further describe the "e-portfolio" as a way for parents and their students to have visible evidence available to talk about when the question is asked "what did you do today?" The STEAM Camp concluded with a presentation for parents and community members, as is pictured in the bottom photo above.
Pictured below are some of the local students with their display boards describing their project and their experience at STEAM Camp. Natalie Byrnes of Waukon (pictured in photo above right) is pictured with her display describing her project on "Giving Earth A Hand", and Ryan Kolsrud of Waukon (pictured in the photo below) is pictured with his creation of a working crane with a wrecking ball. Other projects included work with virtual reality through Iowa State University's FLEx (Forward Learning Experience) program, three-dimensional drawing with 3Doodler, and experience with such things as a PoliceBot, playing fetch with a MiPosaur, and the LEGO® Education WeDo Construction Set.
Camp sponsors include Allamakee Community Connections, Allamakee County Community Foundation, Allamakee County Economic Development & Tourism, Iowa State University & Outreach, Keystone AEA and Northeast Iowa Community College. Standard photos by Joe Moses.
