Soon-to-be third-grader Paxton Roach successfully estimated how much water a kitchen sponge can hold.
The number he got: 200 milliliters.
Paxton solved this math problem with pencil and paper and a hands-on experiment. He filled the sponge with water and squeezed it out into a measuring cup.
“You have to make sure it’s perfect,” Paxton said. “I just love math.”
He is participating in the Metric Olympics against his camp mates and hopes to win the most points by Thursday.
Paxton is among 70 elementary and middle school kids who are moving and thinking this summer as part of the Summer Academy. The camp is hosted by the Center for School Improvement and Policy Studies, in the College of Education at Boise State University.
The academic and adventurous five-week summer camp focuses on math and physical education.
“Life doesn’t come to us in a worksheet,” said Elisa Pharris, a teacher at Jefferson Elementary. “Hands-on learning gives students an internal sense of how long and far something is.”
Kids in grades 2-6 are learning skills in:
- Patterns and sequences
- Number systems
- Probability
- Prime numbers
- Mathematical games
- Flying Disc games
- Obstacle course games
- Soccer
- Dancing
- Scavenger hunting
Students in grades 7-9 are taking part in daily bicycle adventures, exploring the outdoors. Students took part in a bike safety course from the Boise Police Department, learned about CPR and got tips on bike tune-ups.
“Kids need to continue to grow in the summer and this camp keeps the brain thinking and active,” said Beth Holt, the camp coordinator.
The five-week camp ends on Thursday. For more information about future camps, click here.
