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Trenton Condie, a seventh-grader at Rifle Middle School, demonstrates the features of his model solar home during a recent free energy-technology camp for middle schoolers at Colorado Mountain College.
RIFLE — Two dozen energetic and inquisitive middle school students recently spent a free week at the West Garfield Campus of Colorado Mountain College learning about energy technologies. The students learned about the broad spectrum of energy technology, from fossil fuels to renewable. They were presented with the numerous college and career opportunities.
The seventh- and eighth-grade students conducted experiments, learned from local experts, toured the solar array in west Rifle and worked with high school and college instructors. They spent many hours completing hands-on activities such as assembling solar-powered grasshopper robots, creating a simple solar hot water system and constructing solar-powered models from windmills to elevators to cars.
“We were excited to have the students here for this community outreach program. It's giving the kids an experience early to think about their transition to higher education,” said Sue Schmidt, instructional chair at the West Garfield Campus. “We are positioning them at the right age to consider the scientific and mathematic opportunities available in the energy industry.”
The week-long day camp covered topics ranging from the physics of energy to capturing active and passive energy from the sun, from the greenhouse effect to weatherization of homes. The students built solar ovens from reflective car sunshields and learned about the cultural importance of solar ovens in drought-stricken and developing countries. Each student was able to work with and then take home their own solar home model kit, a $135 value, to continue their learning this summer.
On the last day of energy camp, parents were invited to join the students for a solar oven cookout with hot dogs, baked beans and brownies.
Enjoyable way to learn
Students called the camp “cool” and “fun.”
“I think it's a good opportunity to learn about energy and renewable energy,” said Trenton Condie, a seventh-grader from Rifle Middle School. “I only knew a little bit, but now I know a lot more.”
The free week of learning for students from Rifle and Riverside middle schools as well as home-schooled students was made possible through $12,000 in funding from the private El Pomar Foundation based in Colorado Springs. The foundation provides $25 million annually through direct grants and community stewardship programs to support Colorado nonprofit organizations.
Four regional camps were funded through a $50,000 El Pomar grant secured through Mesa State College in Grand Junction. The grant is being split among Western Slope colleges and campuses, including the Colorado Mountain College Alpine Campus in Steamboat Springs and Colorado Northwestern Community College in Rangely.
More summer fun
for kids at CMC
Mark McCabe, assistant vice president for student affairs at Colorado Mountain College, spoke to the students at the start of camp in Rifle to encourage the middle-schoolers to plan ahead for college. He said the Energy Camp, which the college plans to offer again next summer, provides a great way for students to have fun, learn science and be exposed to what it is like to be in college.
“The camp is an amazing concept, and it flat-out works,” McCabe said. “It does make a difference in students' attitudes concerning whether or not college is for them.”
Other summer programs for children are planned at the West Garfield Campus as part of Kids' Camp offerings in June and July for students ages 7 to 12. The short classes will explore topics such as astronomy, tae kwon do, theater, wildlife rescue, forensics, dissection and pottery. The classes are $20 or less, and spaces are still available in some offerings. For more information, call the West Garfield Campus at 625-1871.
The seventh- and eighth-grade students conducted experiments, learned from local experts, toured the solar array in west Rifle and worked with high school and college instructors. They spent many hours completing hands-on activities such as assembling solar-powered grasshopper robots, creating a simple solar hot water system and constructing solar-powered models from windmills to elevators to cars.
“We were excited to have the students here for this community outreach program. It's giving the kids an experience early to think about their transition to higher education,” said Sue Schmidt, instructional chair at the West Garfield Campus. “We are positioning them at the right age to consider the scientific and mathematic opportunities available in the energy industry.”
The week-long day camp covered topics ranging from the physics of energy to capturing active and passive energy from the sun, from the greenhouse effect to weatherization of homes. The students built solar ovens from reflective car sunshields and learned about the cultural importance of solar ovens in drought-stricken and developing countries. Each student was able to work with and then take home their own solar home model kit, a $135 value, to continue their learning this summer.
On the last day of energy camp, parents were invited to join the students for a solar oven cookout with hot dogs, baked beans and brownies.
Enjoyable way to learn
Students called the camp “cool” and “fun.”
“I think it's a good opportunity to learn about energy and renewable energy,” said Trenton Condie, a seventh-grader from Rifle Middle School. “I only knew a little bit, but now I know a lot more.”
The free week of learning for students from Rifle and Riverside middle schools as well as home-schooled students was made possible through $12,000 in funding from the private El Pomar Foundation based in Colorado Springs. The foundation provides $25 million annually through direct grants and community stewardship programs to support Colorado nonprofit organizations.
Four regional camps were funded through a $50,000 El Pomar grant secured through Mesa State College in Grand Junction. The grant is being split among Western Slope colleges and campuses, including the Colorado Mountain College Alpine Campus in Steamboat Springs and Colorado Northwestern Community College in Rangely.
More summer fun
for kids at CMC
Mark McCabe, assistant vice president for student affairs at Colorado Mountain College, spoke to the students at the start of camp in Rifle to encourage the middle-schoolers to plan ahead for college. He said the Energy Camp, which the college plans to offer again next summer, provides a great way for students to have fun, learn science and be exposed to what it is like to be in college.
“The camp is an amazing concept, and it flat-out works,” McCabe said. “It does make a difference in students' attitudes concerning whether or not college is for them.”
Other summer programs for children are planned at the West Garfield Campus as part of Kids' Camp offerings in June and July for students ages 7 to 12. The short classes will explore topics such as astronomy, tae kwon do, theater, wildlife rescue, forensics, dissection and pottery. The classes are $20 or less, and spaces are still available in some offerings. For more information, call the West Garfield Campus at 625-1871.
