Summer Enrichment students arrrrr having fun hunting treasure

Sanfordville Elementary School teacher aide Michelle Howard welcomed a crew of students aboard her Summer Enrichment course -- "Calling All Treasure Hunters!" -- for a weeklong voyage on the high seas of creative STEM learning!

Students started their week with some creative cartography on Monday, drawing their own treasure maps. Students uncovered valuable lessons buried in the fun of the activity about how, why, and by whom maps are used. With their maps complete, the students then personalized their own miniature treasure chests to collect gems and doubloons.

_{See a gallery from the class below this story!}

On Tuesday, students became shipbuilders for the Pirate Ship Challenge: Sink or Float. Using corks and pool noodles, they followed designs and directions to build their own boats, then tested them in water to see which would float. The "hook-hands-on" experimentation helped students consider topics such as how material, shape, and balance can affect buoyancy. What began as a pirate flotilla turned into a regatta, as students raced their boats from one shore of the container to the other, teaching foundational science concepts through a playful, imaginative adventure.

The group of students said they "arrrrrrrr" excited for the rest of the week, which promises even more pirate-themed fun. They'll be investigating chemical reactions with fizzy treasure chest surprises, crack codes in an escape room, and craft their own treasure sensory jars. There will also be giant bubbles and outdoor games, all leading up to the grand finale on Friday, a school-wide treasure hun that will send teams racing across the middle school, deciphering clues and working together to uncover hidden loot. 

With its blend of STEM and creativity, this course has its young crew members realizing that learning can be a real treasure!

CLASS GALLERY