STEAM Camp on the Lake

The Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM) Camp began shortly after the end of the academic year at Jasper County Charter System.

The STEAM method of teaching continues to prove viable for students. During a three week period of concentrated studies, the class taught by Scotti Ann Cummings (Chemistry and Biology high school teacher) visited Lake Jackson for “hands on” experience to add to the classroom knowledge.

Goat island participants included ninth grader Lance Drewery, ninth grader Matthew Smith, seventh grader Grady Moore, twelfth grader Bethany Carnes, teacher ScottiAnn Cummings, eighth grader Sarah Carnes, and ninth grader Kevonta Standifer. This photo was taken on Goat Island after 16 of the 17 goats boarded the Jackson Lake Association pontoon for a mid-morning snack and then followed the STEAM Camp kids back to land. The island is home to the goats and the lake residents feed and care for them regularly.

The cardboard boat race duos are shown trying out their creations on Lake Jackson. Ninth graders Lance Drewery and Matthew Smith show off their “unsinkable” boat. Both guys were able to enjoy Jackson Lake from inside their boat made entirely of cardboard, duck tape, and wood glue. The two said that the key to their success was their distribution of weight and diligence in lining the base with duck tape. As depicted they celebrated their victory with a pose from The Titanic, probably not a wise choice given the ending.

Freshman Kevonta Standifer and senior Bethany Carnes didn’t have as much success as their counterparts on the lake but still had a ton of fun. Although they did not last long on the water, they sunk with smiles and laughter. They even spent some time afterwards discussing their design and the newly discovered importance of surface area with Patty Clark from the Jackson Lake Sun, the monthly lake newspaper. The students spent two days building and perfecting their model boats in the classroom prior to testing them on the lake.