Name: STEM Build Week-7/20/2026 - 7/24/2026 | Ages 7-9 | Blue Ridge Boost
SKU: SUMMER26-SCIENCE-CAMP-3RD-W8-26
Price: 509.99 USD
Availability: InStock

STEM Build Week

STEM Build Week — Engineer, Test, and Share!

Daily Plan (5 days, 4 one-hour sessions per day) • Friendly Show & Tell (45 minutes) • No prior experience required

Day 1 — Balloon Car Challenge Focus: forces & motion, friction, air pressure, iteration

S1: Intro to Motion
- Explore push/pull, friction, and rolling resistance with quick demos.
- Materials orientation: straws, skewers/axles, wheels, balloons, tape, chassis options.
- Safety and testing rules overview.
S2: Build Your Car (Prototype A)
- Assemble a basic balloon car chassis; align axles; ensure free‑spinning wheels.
- Predict distance and straightness; record a plan.
S3: Test and Tune
- Run controlled tests (3 trials). Measure distance, drift, and time.
- Reduce friction (wheel spacing, axle sleeves); improve sealing around the balloon nozzle.
S4: Friendly Show & Tell (45 minutes)
- Share two demonstration runs for distance and straightness.
- Reflection: Which change made the biggest difference? Capture data and a photo.

Day 2 — Bridge Building Challenge Focus: structures, load‑bearing, compression/tension, geometry

S1: Structure Basics
- Learn about beams, trusses, and triangles; load paths and supports.
- Materials overview: craft sticks, glue, tape, index cards, string.
S2: Design and Jig Setup
- Sketch a bridge with target span and weight limits; define constraints.
- Build a simple assembly jig to keep symmetry and alignments.
S3: Build, Cure, Pre‑Load Check
- Assemble key members, reinforce joints, and allow quick set.
- Pre‑load with small weights; note failure points; add gussets if time allows.
S4: Friendly Show & Tell (45 minutes)
- Guided load demo: add weight incrementally and observe performance.
- Discuss strength‑to‑weight and share observations about failure modes and improvements.

Day 3 — Storm the Castle Challenge Focus: energy transfer, projectiles, angles, distance, accuracy

S1: Launch Physics
- Discuss potential vs. kinetic energy, angle optimization, and repeatability.
- Safety protocols for launchers and test areas.
S2: Build a Launcher
- Construct a safe, small‑scale lever or elastic launcher with angle adjustment.
- Create a simple angle guide; mark consistent pullback distances.
S3: Calibration and Targeting
- Calibrate with short‑range tests. Record angle, pullback length, and distance.
- Create a shot table; practice accuracy at set targets.
S4: Friendly Show & Tell (45 minutes)
- Demonstrate accuracy at set distances/targets.
- Share your best settings and what helped you aim consistently.

Day 4 — Build‑a‑Barge Challenge Focus: buoyancy, displacement, stability, center of mass

S1: Float Fundamentals
- Archimedes’ principle, displacement, density; why boats float.
- Materials orientation: aluminum foil, tape, cups, coins/weights, tubs.
S2: Design for Capacity
- Sketch 2–3 hull shapes (raft, box, canoe). Predict load capacity and stability.
- Build Prototype A with sturdy edges and reinforced seams.
S3: Load Testing and Iteration
- Incrementally add mass; observe tipping and leaks.
- Adjust beam width, freeboard height, and mass distribution.
S4: Friendly Show & Tell (45 minutes)
- Capacity demo: add mass until just before sinking/tipping and note the maximum.
- Discuss which design choices increased capacity most.

Day 5 — Hydraulics Challenge Focus: fluids, pressure, force multiplication, mechanisms

S1: Pascal’s Principle
- How force transmits in liquids; syringes and tubing basics; safety and spills.
- Identify real‑world applications: brakes, lifts, diggers.
S2: Build a Hydraulic Mechanism
- Assemble a simple 2‑syringe system (master/slave).
- Construct a basic gripper, lift arm, or claw frame with craft sticks and hinges.
S3: Control and Precision
- Practice fine control: pick‑and‑place small objects, stack blocks, sort items.
- Improve rigidity, reduce tubing leaks, and label controls.
S4: Friendly Show & Tell (45 minutes)
- Run a timed practice course (e.g., move objects from A to B, stack 3 blocks) for demonstration.
- Celebrate iterations and creative designs; focus on accuracy and control rather than winning.

What’s Included

All build materials and safety gear for each challenge.
Printed build guides, measurement sheets, and sharing rubrics.
Testing stations: distance lanes, load rigs, target zones, water tubs, hydraulic task stations.
Daily reflection journals and photo logs.

Skills You’ll Gain

Engineering design cycle: plan, build, test, iterate, communicate.
Measurement and data: distance, time, mass, capacity, accuracy.
Core science concepts: forces/motion, structures, energy transfer, buoyancy, fluid pressure.
Teamwork: role rotation (builder, tester, recorder), respectful collaboration.

Camp Essentials

Ages: 7 to 9 years old.
Dates: Monday, 7/20/2026 to Friday, 7/24/2026
Times:
- Full-Day,8:30 AM–5:00 PM
- AM, 8:30 AM - 1:00 PM
- PM, 12:30 PM - 5:00 PM
Location: 2171 Ivy Rd, Charlottesville, VA 22903
What to Bring: Water bottle, lunch, and one or two light snacks.
Video gaming: Not allowed
Tech Provided: Computers and robotics kits (for in‑camp use only; equipment stays with us).
Skill Level: Beginners welcome; no prior coding experience required
Dress Code: Comfortable clothes; indoor‑friendly shoes
Contact: camps@yblueridgeboost.com • (434) 260‑0636
Allergies/Medical: Share details during registration; bring any necessary meds
Behavior & Safety: Kindness first; follow staff directions; internet safety rules apply