SEP Session 1, Day 9 (All Grades)

Most Parent letters are now posted under "5-8" and "9-11"

Today was the last day of SEP, it has been a blast and we are so sad to see all the campers go home! For the last day of class, many teachers and students opened their classroom to share what they have been learning with the rest of camp. Check out some of the awesome things students shared! This posted is not divided by age since 9-11 campers visited 5-8 classes and visa versa.

All SEP students gathered on the blacktop for an annual liquid nitrogen bottle explosion put on by Michael Farabaugh the teacher of "Periodic Explorations".

"Light! Mysteries of the Electromagnetic Spectrum" spent part of their last class touring several material science labs in the school of engineering and applied sciences at UVA. They got to see labs focused on laser optics, 3D printing metals, SEM (scanning electron microscope), and TEM (transmission electron microscope). Some of the highlights of the field trip were seeing laser machines and their parts, as well as nickel-iron products from the 3D printer. It was a great time seeing experts at work!

The Biochemistry students in "The Energizers and Catalyzers in the Biochemical Process," discussed their final experimental projects on the biochemistry of bananas and lactose intolerance. 

"Explorations in Neuroscience" students presented information on the brain related topics they selected.

Students in "Parsing Primary Sources: Learning to Read Like a Historian," students gave poster presentations about the Civil Rights movement events.

The class, "Architecture: Redesign in order to Reuse," has spent the past few days redesigning and completing the Landmark Hotel on the Charlottesville Downtown Mall. They have thought about what would be most beneficial to the community and area and brought life back into the half-constructed building. Students shared their posters and models with visitors.

Students in "On The Brink...Innovations in Warfare in WWII," showcased their trifold research projects on a technology or innovation from WWII.

Students in "Engineering Hogwarts," shared work of science fiction that they

created.  These were presented these different ways – some chose to act out a movie trailer, others made a comic book, etc. They also had to invent a device that would help a character in their story, and shared these as well.

Students in "From Hamlet to Black Panther," read aloud chosen original scripts of short plays/scenes they wrote in class. Visitors also had the opportunity to engage in improv with students from the class.

Students in "Engineers Can Change the World," used design thinking

to find ways to improve SEPand presented their ideas to visitors.

Students in "Solar Circuits - Solar Homes" showcased their solar homes in a gallery walk.

Students visiting "Life is a Balancing Act," had the opportunity to quickly practice the same hands-on STEAM activities that students participated in throughout the courses. Students demonstrated the STEAM activities created in class involving the theme of balance. They showed off what they created, how it was created, and discussed the science behind it as well as the design process.

Students in "Dimensions of Disadvantage," gave presentations on a TV

show/movie of their choosing and discussed the representation in the movie/show

along the lines of race, class, and gender.

Students in "How to Make a Podcast," played their podcasts and participated in a short Q&A on the making of their podcast.

Best,

Nicole, Breer, and Olivia