South Washington County Schools Community Education

Campers please prepare for takeoff! Let your Jr. Engineer’s interest in STEM fly as we explore all the aspects of aviation. We will learn how Leonardo daVinci studied the flight of birds and test his design for a parachute. Learn how a simple paper bag led the Montgolfier brothers to finally achieve the dream of flight with their hot air balloon. Discover the adventure and peril of lighter than air flight as we fly a blimp and learn how the tragedy of the Hindenburg brought the age of airships to an end. Discover how early aeronauts like Otto Lilinthal inspired inventors like Langley and the Wright brothers in the race to invent the first airplanes. We will experiment with the forces of powered flight by building gliders and rubber band powered aircraft. We will explore pioneers of aviation and the advancements that took us from Orville’s first 14 second flight in 1903 to the Moon and beyond. Through hands-on activities we will experience the forces of flight and discover how airships, airplanes, helicopters and even rockets help us defy gravity and reach for the stars. Each day your Jr. Aeronaut will make an aviation themed project to bring the STEM excitement home.

Your instructor Mr. Kilbane is a local scout leader and a veteran STEM teacher. He has been writing and running STEM camps for over 20 years and just completed his 11th season as a FIRST Robotics Competition mentor and coach. He is a STEM teacher with the Minnesota Astronomical Society and has a level 2 Certification in high power rocketry though Tripoli.