Ten Weeks of Action-Packed, Hands-On Science FUN!

Discovery Camp Summer 2009

 

Discovery Days 1 - Galileo: Man & the Moon
June 22 - June 26, 2009
Be one of the first to see Galileo's actual telescope. Join us as we celebrate the 40th anniversary of the first moonwalk, the 400th anniversary of Galileo's first use of a telescope and the International Year of Astronomy. It's a session that's sure to be out of this world.
Science connection: Astronomy

Survivor: The Franklin Institute
June 29 - July 10, 2009 (No camp July 4, 2009)
Outwit, outplay, outlearn...Think you have what it takes to survive a tsunami, tornado or flood? Explore the science behind extreme natural disasters and how humans can and do survive them.
Science connection: Environmental Science, Weather, Biology

Ooey, Gooey, Kablooey: Chemistry's Greatest Hits
July 13 - July 24, 2009
Oobleck, slime and fireworks—learn some chemistry that gets a great reaction. Learn why chemistry is all about changes, and try everything you can't do at home with our messiest science experiments.
Science Connection: Chemistry, Scientific Method

Yo! Philly Science
July 27 - August 7, 2009
Ever wonder how the Ben Franklin Bridge can support so much weight, or if a cheesesteak is REALLY that bad for you? Ever wonder what makes the Comcast Center the tallest "green" building in the country? See your city in a new light and explore the ecosystem all around you.
Science Connection: Structures, Forces, Environmental Science

Bionic Beasts
August 10 - August 21, 2009
What have scientists learned from nature that has improved the life of humans? Why does a bat use echolocation? What animals have engineers modeled robots after? Why is nature sometimes the best teacher?
Science Connection: Biology, Robotics

Discovery Days 2 - Science Superstars
August 24 - August 28, 2009 - SOLD OUT!
Interested in extracting DNA? Playing with electricity? Bending space and time? So were Watson, Crick, Franklin and Einstein. Meet a few science superstars, and recreate some of the most famous (and not so famous) experiments of all time.
Science connection: Physics, Chemistry

Admission to Galileo, the Medici and the Age of Astronomy is included in all sessions.

Discovery Camp Highlights

Daily Schedule
Each day includes at least two hands-on science activities, snack, a break for lunch, outdoor play (weather permitting) and museum exploration. During the sessions, campers may also attend field trips, hear guest speakers, and take part in large-scale, camp wide projects.

Exhibit Exploration
This summer campers will enjoy not only in-depth exploration of The Franklin Institute's permanent exhibits, but they will also learn about the origins of modern astronomy in an important traveling exhibit—Galileo, the Medici and the Age of Astronomy.

Field Trips
Building on the session's theme, campers attending two week sessions will take field trips to see scientific concepts and theories in the real world. (Parents will be notified in advance of all field trips.)

Guest Speakers
Interactive presentations relating to each theme will be facilitated by guest speakers. Campers will have the opportunity to discuss subjects of interest in depth with scientists and other professionals.

Tuttleman IMAX Theater, Fels Planetarium, and Franklin Theater
Each theater provides a unique learning experience. IMAX features such as Pulse: A Stomp Odyssey and Legends of the Sky open new horizons, while Fels Planetarium shows are like camping out under the stars. And in Franklin Theater's high definition 3D films—like The World of Sharks—underwater creatures seem to swim off the screen and into the audience! (Theater schedules subject to change.)

Newsletter
The Discoverer, our camp newsletter written by area journalism and media students, will showcase campers' discoveries throughout the summer and will keep parents on the cutting edge of Discovery Camp activities.

Outdoor Adventures
Science Park, a permanent outdoor fair-weather exhibit is designed to be interactive and fun in a safe, clean environment. Campers will continue their science learning by playing miniature golf, swinging on the swing set and testing out many more devices designed to get kids excited about learning. Sundials, whisper tubes, sand pendulums, hide-and-seek tunnels, and mini periscopes help insure that fun and games are all part of each science lesson.