Science-U Super Soakers Cutting to the Heart of the Matter

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An Outreach Program of the Eberly College of Science
DID YOU KNOW?
15-25% of the energy in
your home is used to heat
your water. Maybe next
time try washing your
laundry on cold?
UP AND COMING
Vol.4 Issue 24
Science-U Super Soakers
Campers crowd around the water toy they made
Above: Camper Walter
wants you to halve a heart!
July 26, 2012
A shot of the fully constructed water propeller
The “Science of Toys” campers spent their afternoon
cooling off in the misty spray of their newest experiment. Camper Sadie summarized the activity quite
nicely: “Today we are kicked out of the building cause
they are doing measurements for the parking lot to
replace the factory! We’re using pipes with water and
getting wet, and it’s been a lot of fun—we’re having a
lot of fun this week.” The campers constructed makeshift water guns using PVC pipe and duct tape. One
camper stood at the top of the “gun” and pushed a
pipe down. The thrust propelled the water inside the
pipes out through the end, and into a shower of water
Celine, Emma, and Brooke got a little wet at camp!
that the campers loved to play in.
Cutting to the Heart of the Matter
Nittany Lion, M.D.
(July 23-27)
Energy Science 2.0: The
Next Generation
(July 23-27)
Doctor Winkel’s Wonder
Workshop: The Science of
Toys
(July 23-27)
Campers begin examining and dissecting hearts
One camper pokes at her pig heart
The “Nittany Lion, M.D.” campers broke out the pig hearts on Wednesday. There were enough hearts
for each camper to dissect his/her own, which meant everyone got a good heart look inside. “There
are two atriums—there’s a right and a left. The right atrium is a lot smaller than the left because it
pumps deoxygenated blood into the lungs, and the left ventricle pumps blood to the body so it’s bigger,” said camper Jeanette on what she had learned about the heart that day. It was exciting for the
campers to pull apart the heart and examine the ventricles and aorta, and really see what their mentors had explained about the heart’s functions earlier.
ScIEnce-U
Director: Michael Zeman
Phone: (814) 865-0083
Penn State University
237 Ritenour Building
The 2012 Penn State Science-U Newsletter is written and photographed by
Michelle Felmlee-Gartner.
Website:
www.sciencecamps.psu.edu
Email:
sciencecamps@science.psu.edu
Miss an issue? Click here to see
the S.U.N.s of previous weeks!
Top Left: A “Toys” camper tosses the “airplane” he made in the air
Top Right: Brooke experiments with elastic energy, where the disc is propelled forward by the shooter. The disc
itself is actually being deformed as it is shot.
Bottom Left: “Nittany Lion M.D.” campers work on a blood and urine test
Bottom Right: Mentor Beth’s campers check the temperature of their solar-heated water
House Powered by the Rising Sun
The campers walk outside the MorningStar solar home
Lisa talks to the Energy campers about the solar home
The MorningStar Solar Home matches the energy it consumes with the
energy it produces by using wind turbines, solar panels, special blinds, and
more. The “Energy” campers toured the small, yet energetic home, and
learned more about the self-powered abode. Every part of the house
stands as a reminder of how we need to think long-term when it comes to
finite resources. Even the windows contribute to taking in energy, with custom blinds that either deflect sunlight or let it in. When the campers went
outside, they saw the solar panels that covered the eastern and western
walls. Both the roof of the adjoining carport and the house sported panels
as well. The carport’s solar panels not only collect energy from direct sunlight, but also from sunlight reflected by the purposefully light concrete
floor. The sustainable house took 4th place in the 2007 Solar Decathlon.
A close-up of the many solar panels that covered the walls
This publication is available in alternative media upon request. Penn State is committed to equal opportunity, affirmative action, and the diversity of its work force. U.Ed. SCI
12-144 (Issue 24)
Mentor Sam and his group propel a rocket!
The water from the toys was a great way to cool off
Instructor Nikki dissects a heart
“Toys” campers test out their extreme water guns
Mentor Anni’s group “hearts” science
The final version of the campers’ water heater
A close-up of Energy’s finalized water heater
The “Toys” campers prepare for the rocket launch
“Nittany Lion M.D.” campers tug at heart strings
“Nittany Lion M.D.” and “Energy” campers at the pool
Mentor Seth takes a flying leap into the pool
One camper has a hearty meal