Hello South Walton Friends!
Do you have a 1st-9th grader at home? Are they looking for a fun, engaging, and enriching way to spend their summer? Are they interested in the natural world and all things science?
Look no further- Join us at The Ohana Institute in Inlet Beach for our Summer of Sunshine & Science!
We are offering 6 weeks of STEAM-based programming this summer, and will be exploring everything from earth and space science, to prehistoric creatures, shark biology, and more! See the attached flyer and the descriptions below to read up on all the fun and excitement happening each week:
Week 1: 6/13/2022-6/17/2022
Wonders of the Deep: Uncovering the Mysteries of the Deep Sea
Prepare yourself for a dive into the deepest and darkest parts of the ocean! We know less about the deep sea than the surface of the moon, and will spend the week navigating this alien world, from hydrothermal vents to the Mariana Trench and everywhere in between! Follow along with real deep-sea biologists and see how they study this world of extremes. This week, you’ll get the chance to create your own glowing anglerfish as you discover how these mysterious creatures navigate the darkness of the deep sea; meet the otherworldly giant isopod and its terrestrial relatives; get messy as we make our own hagfish slime; and much more!
Week 2: 6/20/2022-6/24/2022
From the Sand to the Stars: Let’s Explore Earth and Space!
How strong can the strongest hurricane be? How do volcanoes form? How many stars exist in the universe? What is a black hole, and how does it work? From the blue planet we call home, to the farthest reaches of the universe, this week is all about the wonders of Earth and Space! We’ll investigate extreme weather events and natural disasters, like hurricanes, tornadoes, and volcanic eruptions; harness our engineering skills as we build an earthquake-proof structure; experience what it’s like to drive a rover and explore the surface of Mars; learn about the stars within our solar system and create miniature constellations and galaxies; and more!!
Week 3: 6/27/2022-7/1/2022
Welcome to Jurassic Florida: Tales of Our Geologic Past
Travel back in time as we discover what Florida would have been like during prehistoric times! What kinds of plants and animals would have lived here? Trick question: did Florida even have dinosaurs back in the day?? Unearth your inner paleontologist this week as we create our own fossil casts, dig up prehistoric specimens, and get to know the living fossils that still roam the Earth with us!
Week 4: 7/4/2022-7/8/2022
Magnificent Mammals of the Land and Sea
This week, we’ll meet some of our ocean-dwelling relatives, the marine mammals! From the manatees of Florida, to the dolphins and whales of the open ocean, the sea otters of the kelp forest, and the polar bears and leopard seals of the polar seas, marine mammals can be found worldwide if you know where to look. Discover how these creatures have adapted to live in all sorts of environments, how they communicate and hunt for food, and the amazing behaviors they can perform! You’ll experience how blubber keeps these animals warm, get an inside look at an orca’s anatomy, learn how marine biologists identify wild dolphins, and much more!
Week 5: 7/11/2022-7/15/2022
Researcher in Training: A Week of Exploration and Scientific Skill-Building
Do you want to pursue a career in the sciences? Are you fascinated by the world of STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, math)? We have just the opportunity for you!! Join us this week as we get a behind-the-scenes look at what it’s like to be a scientist! You’ll hear from guest speakers from a wide range of scientific backgrounds, visit local STEAM and environmental conservation-oriented organizations and participate in field work, learn a variety of scientific research techniques, and more!!
Week 6: 7/18/2022-7/22/2022
Shark Week: A Celebration of the Ocean’s Amazing Apex Predators!
It’s Shark Week at Ohana!! This week, we’ll get to know the ancient fishes who have roamed our oceans for over 450 million years! Do sharks have friends? How many shark species exist today? Which species can we find here in Florida? Why do sharks need our help, and how can we protect them for generations to come? This week, campers will participate in a fossil shark tooth excavation; learn how to use a microscope (a must-have for all scientists!) as we get an up-close look at a shark’s unique scales; and separate facts from “tails” as we discover that sharks aren’t as dangerous as we might think. We’ll even learn what we can do, as citizen scientists and marine biologists-in-training, to help protect these amazing creatures!
There is still time to sign up for all 6 weeks! The cost of registration is $300 per child per week. You can sign up for as many weeks as you like at ohanainstitute.org! We also have opportunities for rising 10th-12th grade students to earn community service hours by signing up to be volunteer counselors. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to me personally, or email info@ohanainstitute.org.
We're looking forward to an exciting summer of exploration and discovery with your scientists-in-training!
All the Best,
Ms. Alex