FROM CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION TO DINOSAURS – ONE SOUTH FLORIDA CAMP HAS IT ALL
South Florida Science Center announces Science Summer Camp Schedule

(West Palm Beach, FL) Small-scientists need not travel too far for big returns in science exploration this summer, as the South Florida Science Center and Aquarium has announced plans for its annual Science Summer Camp. Beginning on June 5 and offering eight weeks of discovery, the camp is open to children ages 4 – 14, with each week offering a different theme.

“We are very enthusiastic about variety of camps this summer,” said Lew Crampton, Science Center CEO. “We know that the most lucrative future jobs are focused on science, technology, engineering and math and you never know what exposure to science will get a kid excited about it as a career. Our camps are designed to ‘open every mind to science’ – all while having fun in a safe and educational environment where future engineers, marine scientists, CSI crime lab directors and even archeologists can experiment while developing their interests and talents.”

Science Summer Camp themes include MineCraftEDU: Xtreme!; Space Race; Exciting Elements; Fantastic Beasts; Blazing Ballistics; CSI: Science Center; Surf Safari; A-MAZE-ing Insects; and Underwater Robotics. Each week features a different theme with tons of hands-on science exploration. The days will fly-by as children assume the roles of astronaut, chef, paleontologist or oceanographer; guided by Science Center expert educators.

All campers will also have an opportunity to experience the Science Center’s current exhibition, Amazing Butterflies, which is on display through September 29, 2017. The exhibition winds its way over 9,000 square-feet with more than 60 hands-on activities, and leads guests on an adventure through a series of interactive brain-teasers, 3-D puzzles and full body games. In addition to Mazes, the Science Center features more than 100 hands-on educational exhibits, a 10,000 gallon fresh and salt water aquarium- featuring both local and exotic marine life, a digital planetarium, conservation research station, Florida exhibit hall, Pre-K focused “Discovery Center,” an interactive Everglades exhibit and the 18-hole Conservation Course – an outdoor putting course with science-focused education stations.

Science Center Summer Camp is held Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. with extended hours of structured activities available from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. for an additional $10 fee per day. Science Camps for ages 4-12 are $225 for Science Center members and $250 for non-members. Tech Camps for ages 7-14 are $275 for members and $300 for non-members. For questions, more information, or to register, as space is limited, visit: www.sfsciencecenter.org/camp, call: 561-832-2026 or email: programs@sfsciencecenter.org. The South Florida Science Center and Aquarium is located at 4801 Dreher Trail North; West Palm Beach, FL 33405. These camps will also be offered at our satellite location, STEM Studio in Jupiter, FL. Visit our website for more information.

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Additional details about each week of Science Summer Camp:

June 5th-9th, 2017 – Seaside Science:
Dive head first into summer and join us for a science shell-abration! Discover life by the shore with our marine biologists as we learn about sea turtle nests and migrations, learn how the waves create our sandy beaches, and get a chance to dissect a marine creature! This is one wave of fun you won’t want to miss.
June 12th-16th, 2017 – Space Race:
We are on a mission to the last frontier in this week of cosmic creations and interstellar sciences! Help us build our rockets to send towards space, learn all about the cosmos in our state-of-the-art planetarium, and train for the challenges of space in our Astronaut Obstacle Course!
June 19th-23rd, 2017 – Exciting Elements:
Get ready for an explosion of fun and learning in this whacked out week of chemistry! Join our team of emerging scientists as we create amazing chemical reactions, exploding solutions, and take part in our exciting elements show. Help us celebrate summer with a BANG!
June 26th-30th, 2017 – Fantastic Beasts:
Our planet is home to some of the most magical creatures imaginable, and we plan to find them all! How do animals like squid and octopuses camouflage? How can cheetahs run at 60mph? Learn about the many species on Earth and some of their fantastic abilities!
July 3rd-7th, 2017 – Molecular Gastronomy:
Due to a 4-day holiday week, this camp pricing is reduced to $200 for non-members, $180 for members.
Remember how we are always told not to play with our food? Not anymore! Come learn all about the science of cooking and help us take it to the next level as we create some of the wildest food experiments on the planet! We’ll make fruit spaghetti, capture yogurt in a bubble and make our own Dippin’ Dots using liquid nitrogen! This is a one-of-a-kind camp that you’ll have to taste to believe!
July 10th-14th, 2017 – Blazing Ballistics:
Get launched into action in this astounding week of aeronautics! Send objects hurling at the speed of flight as we learn about physics and aerodynamics to create crazy catapults and ridiculous rubber band launchers! Kick it up a notch as we build rockets to launch in the park and finish the week with an attempt to send a trash can rocket over 100ft in the air! This explosive week is sure to blow you away.
July 17th-21st, 2017 – CSI: Science Center:
Oh no! There have been a string of thefts at the Science Center! Become Crime Scene Investigators and help us track down the bandits. Learn how we test for fingerprints, blood samples and DNA to narrow down the list of suspects. Hear witness and suspect testimonies to figure out who the culprit is! Will you crack the case?
July 24th-28th, 2017 – Land Before Time:
Travel back in time to the age of the dinosaurs! Become an archaeologist and help uncover fossils hidden beneath the surface, discover the difference between the many species of dinos, and look back on how much the Earth has changed since these reptiles ruled the world!
July 31st- August 4th, 2017 – Surf Safari:
Catch a wave with us as we travel beyond the horizon to study the most unique sea creatures around! Learn how squids use chromatophores to camouflage with our dissection, what makes jellyfish so exceptional in our aquarium, and touch some of our echinoderms with our brand new touch tank. Surf’s up!!
August 7th-11th, 2017 – A-MAZE-ing Insects:
Help us finish out the summer with this a-MAZE-ing week of camp about bugs, insects, and creepy crawlies that go along with our Amazing Butterflies exhibit! Learn all about how our tiny little friends eat, move, and survive in this large world. Celebrate summer with our 3rd Annual Summer Science Blowout filled with games, music, face painting and the chance to pie your counselors in the face!

Additional details about each week of Tech Camps:
Summer Tech Ventures (Ages 5-14)
$300 for non-members, $275 for members for one-week session.
June 5th-9th, 2017 – Lil’ Tyke Tech (Ages 5-8):
Calling all Tykes! Join us in our first-ever Junior Tech Camp as we inspire our little learners to think big. During this exciting week, campers will gain an introduction to technology, robotics and coding with products like OSMO Coding and the Dash and Dot Robots.
June 12th-16th, 2017 – Underwater Robotics (Ages 10-14):
Take a dive below the surface as we maneuver our tech skills to uncharted seas with underwater robotics! See if you can stay afloat as we put your engineering, programming and coding knowledge to the test and navigate your robots through multiple obstacles in our underwater obstacle course!
June 19th-23rd, 2017 – Get to Know Arduino (Ages 7-14):
How well do you know Arduino? Explore the basics of Arduino hardware and the coding that’s involved with making electronics function. Work on a number of tech projects including a touch-sensitive lamp, musical instruments that play with the motion of your hands, and much more!
June 26th-30th, 2017 – MineCraftEDU: Xtreme! (Ages 7-14):
Back by popular demand, everyone’s favorite gaming tool MineCraftEDU returns, but this time we are taking it to the Xtreme!! Get thrown into adventurous worlds and scary scenarios as you use different engineering techniques and manipulate the laws of physics to beat the challenges. Think you can science your way to survival?
July 3rd-7th, 2017 – Level Up (Ages 7-14):
Due to a 4-day holiday week, this camp pricing is reduced to $240 for non-members, $220 for members.
Get your game on at the Science Center! Get 1UP on the competition by mastering the ins and outs of arcade game design and coding using different programs like Scratch and Sploder! Design platformers, puzzles, and shooters that will put your fellow campers’ gaming skills to the test!
July 10th-14th, 2017 – 3D SmARTS (Ages 7-14):
Calling all Makers and Art enthusiasts! Come learn all about 3D printing as we explore the art and skill of 3D Modeling using TinkerCAD. Campers will polish their design skills with easy guided lessons to create spaceships, key chains, boats and more! In the end their imagination will be brought to life as they watch their designs printed right before their eyes!
July 17th-21st, 2017 – MinecraftEDU: Xtreme! (Ages 7-14):
**Note: This is the same week as the previous MineCraftEDU: Xtreme. If you attended the prior session do not attend this session.**
Back by popular demand, everyone’s favorite gaming tool MineCraftEDU returns, but this time we are taking it to the Xtreme!! Get thrown into adventurous worlds and scary scenarios as you use different engineering techniques and manipulate the laws of physics to beat the challenges. Think you can science your way to survival?
July 24th-28th, 2017 – Lights, Camera, Action! (Ages 7-14):
Step into the limelight and be the star of your very own production with this star-studded week of videography and fun! Film your own masterpiece using a green screen and movie magic while watching the power of technology at work as your movie comes alive right before your eyes. Finish the week with our red carpet event as we present our very first SFSCA Film Festival!
July 31st- August 4th, 2017 – Robotics with LEGO Mindstorms (Ages 7-14):
Explore the world of robotics using our LEGO MindStorms NXT kits! Design, build, and program your robot and put it through our First Lego League challenge board. Who’s team will complete the course fastest?
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