The PA Distance Virtual Summer camps are in full swing!

Last week, in Mrs. Bible’s virtual Art Camp, students combined fun aspects of art with things that they learned about astronomy and space.

In their first session of the week, campers learned about the Moon. They learned about what the Moon is made of, its orbit around the Earth and Sun, and its different phases. They also learned about the astronauts that have explored the Moon. To end their lesson, they discussed the possibility of living on the Moon and what humans would need to live there. Students considered all the things that they had learned about the unique environment and explored what they would need to survive.

As a rising third grader who has participated in the PA Distance summer camps for the past 3 years, Anastasia Archer, has been especially enjoying Art Camp this year.

"We really look forward to the varied, interesting and fun sessions that are offered. I am continually amazed at how well the teachers are able to engage the younger kids through the online platform," her mother, Alison Archer, said. 

"In this year's Art Camp, Mrs. Bible does an especially effective job of providing educational content during the first half of the session before letting the kids loose on their art project," she added. "My daughter is proud to show me each creation she makes while also explaining the science behind it. Thank you for providing this wonderful opportunity. We will definitely be back next year!"

After learning about space for the first half of the day’s session, Mrs. Bible walked the students through a fun craft named after the Moon.

“The students created Moon Jars with glitter, glue, and glow sticks inside or glow in the dark paint,” Mrs. Bible explained. “They are meant to be a fun little illumination jar to serve as a nightlight in their bedroom.”

(above; student-created Moon Jars)

“After the activity, I provided students with an independent Nearpod that they could explore asynchronously that was full of videos about astronauts, what it takes to be one, and what it is like to do everyday tasks in space,” she said.

For the second session of the week, Art Campers explored the planets within the solar system, the galaxy in which we live, the difference between astronomy and astrology, and some of the zodiac signs that originated from constellations.

“The students were so excited to learn about these different constellations and how their birthday lined up with one of them based on what time of year they are visible in the night sky,” Mrs. Bible explained.

To bring the concepts to life, Mrs. Bible showed campers how to create Constellation Kaleidoscope Projectors with paper towel rolls, printable circle patterns, push pins, and a flashlight.

“The students were able to make "lenses" of various Summer Constellations in the Northern Hemisphere and also had some blank circles where they could create their very own constellation pattern to project on a wall in a dark room with a flashlight and their homemade Constellation Kaleidoscope Projector!” Mrs. Bible explained.

“The campers' enthusiasm and excitement to come on camera, guide the discussions and exploration, and to model their crafts was absolutely wonderful!” Mrs. Bible said.

"My son loves how Mrs. Bible teaches a short lesson about a subject before teaching the kids how to do a corresponding art project together,” Mrs. Anette Ferarri said, of her son, Tyler. “She makes it fun and exciting. He loves making and building things in Art Camp.”

(above; Art camper, Tyler Ferrari, and his DIY Constellation Kaleidoscope Projector)