15 attend local science camp

By Staff
Lakesha Holland, For the FCT
This past week 15 students from the surrounding area enjoyed 5 nights at the Bear Creek Education Center for the 21st Century Learning Center Summer Science Camp.
They spent the week learning about different areas of science and enjoying several outdoor activities.
On Monday, the students did a stream study and had the experience of exploring a cave, where they got good and dirty.
Tuesday started with a wildlife biologist and conservation officer talking to the students about their jobs.
After lunch they students headed for Huntsville where they stopped at Sci-Quest, Huntsville Botanical Gardens, had dinner at Logan's and ended the night with some astronomy at the Monte Sano Planetarium.
On Wednesday morning the students traveled to Johnny Mack Morrow's Cypress Cove Environmental Center to hear archeologist Hunter Johnson tell about his work.
The students also learned a little about tutoring other students from Tharptown elementary teacher Kim Franks.
After spending a little time "on the farm," visiting an old grist mill and learning to milk some fake cows, the students traveled down Highway 247 to dig up some fossils.
When the students returned to camp they had the chance to try their hand at the high rope course. The students really enjoyed this physical challenge with many of them opting for the advanced course the second time around.
They ended the evening with a round of Trivial Pursuit. On Thursday the students headed to Northwest Shoals Community College where Jimmy Glasglow spoke with them about Forestry Science and Technology.
They were given a tour of the Alabama Woodworking Technology Center and got some exercise as they walked the nature trail on campus. After lunch the students listened as Marsha Oliver talked to them about the importance of being organized when they tutored other students.
When she finished, she gave the students the chance to get online and check their email and the headlines, since they had been without TVs and cell phone service since Sunday.
The students headed back to camp that afternoon where they cooled off by canoeing and swimming at the Education Center.
After lunch, those brave enough, were given the chance to go rappelling with a member of the Education Center staff.
The evening ended with the students playing games and enjoying their last night at camp. On Friday the students packed their bags to go home. They traveled back to Northwest for closing ceremonies where they received a DVD of pictures and a certificate to remember their experience.