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Marietta College hosts S.T.R.E.A.M. camp

Parkersburg High School science teacher Daniel Jones talks to STREAM Camp students Friday at Marietta College about snakes, and explains how they use their forked tongue for direction. (Photo by Douglass Huxley)

Area students wrapped up three weeks of learning and fun through the S.T.R.E.A.M. Camp at Marietta College on Friday.

S.T.R.E.A.M. Camp, which stands for Science, Technology, Reading, Engineering, Art, Math) is a program sponsored by the MC Education Department designed to assist students in grades K-6 in the development of improved reading abilities, oral and written communication skills, and positive attitudes toward reading.

This is the pilot year of new activities and instructions in science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics.

Some of the activities included making pizza box ovens to make smores in, students built popsicle stick bridges and houses to test for engineering integrity, there were creative writing classes where students wrote, produced, directed, and filmed their own movies and plays, they created their own passports and would “visit” different countries every few days to learn about new cultures, they wrote and created art for their own graphic novels, and so much more.

“The kids have been loving the creative writing, art, and wellness.” said Dr. Raven Cromwell, assistant professor of education and program director. “So I would love to see if we could maybe get theater, or even music for next year. We want to have a strong focus on the whole child. So some content specific material, but also fostering their social, emotional, and wellness.”

STREAM Camp students gather on the lawn at Marietta College to test volcanoes they made using soda and Mentos. (Photo by Douglass Huxley)

The cost of the camp is $300, $20 for the application fee and $280 for the camp, but there are scholarships available and a lot of the money used comes from donations and grants. Some organizations that contributed are the Marietta Community Foundation, the Martha Holden Jennings Foundation and Ohio Deans Compact. Dr. Dottie Herb and Dr. Carole Hancock, who established the reading camp, donated generously, Dr. Janet Bland, provost and dean of faculty at MC, also donated, and the Marietta Morning Rotary.

“Marietta Morning Rotary didn’t just donate money, they donated their time,” Cromwell said. “Every morning we’ve had one or two volunteer readers from their organization come and read aloud to the kids. So that has been absolutely wonderful. We would be nothing without our sponsors.”

The program matches intern teachers — students at Marietta College going into their senior year — with established teachers. Colton Abate, going into his senior year at MC, was teamed up with Koral Fleming, the transitional kindergarten teacher at Washington Elementary.

“STREAM Camp gives you a whole different experience of classroom management, time management, preparation, planning, and how to really work kids for a full day.” Abate said. “That’s something that really built my confidence working here, and made me ready for my full internship and ready to step in the classroom. Whereas if I didn’t do this, I would have been going into my senior year a little stressed and a little on edge.”

Cromwell said she would like to expand the program next year to include even more interns, teachers, and students but would need the funding to do so.

William Isidora and Sterling Phelps, STREAM Camp students, blow bubbles Friday at Marietta College. (Photo by Douglass Huxley)

“I would love to expand our numbers,” Cromwell said. “The only thing stopping us is being able to pay staff what they deserve. If I want high quality staff doing high quality activities, I need to pay them what they deserve.”

Enrollment for students wanting to attend the camp will begin the next school year in February when applications will be handed out to schools. In the meantime, those interested in the program can get more information on the STREAM website at mcstreamcamp.com.

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