Breadcrumb

LFA Summer STEAM Camps

chemistry camp students placing object in beaker
students in biology lab
students opening robotics kits
students and instructor in ceramics lab
students in chemistry lab
students outdoors examining ground sample
boys watching their robots navigate a path
stagecraft students and instructor building props for a play
students in lab coats smiling in chemistry lab
camp instructor talking to students
day campers outside looking through binoculars
students working in art studio

Due of the global COVID-19 pandemic, LFA regrets to announce that all summer STEAM camps on campus have been cancelled. Refunds for previous registrations will be made. Below is a list of class descriptions from previous camps, and LFA looks forward to hosting the STEAM camps in 2021!

  • Dynamic Planet
    dynamic planet course graphic icon of a rock
    Length: 1 week of ½ day classes
    Dates: TBD
    Teacher: Kevin Hagen
     
    Why aren't there volcanoes in Illinois?  How can life affect the planet? Why is Illinois so flat?  How do glaciers transform the Earth?  What can ocean rocks in Illinois tell us about the changing planet?  This course provides campers with an overview of the violent forces that continue to shape Earth every day.  We will explore the physical impacts on Earth from the history of life, plate tectonics, natural disasters, oceans and freshwater, and glaciers and climate.

  • Creating Chemical Potions
    chemistry science camp
    Length: 1 week of ½ day classes
    Dates: TBD
    Teacher: Kerry Cedergren
     
    This program will give campers the opportunity to participate in inquiry-based hands-on chemistry experiments.  Students will separate dyes, turn copper into silver, determine how much blue dye is in sports drinks, make a potato clock, learn how to make ice cream (and then eat it!), solve a mystery and much more.

  • Forensic Science: Crime Scene Investigation
    forensic archeology
    Length: 1 week of ½ day classes
    Dates: TBD
    Teacher: Ruth Smith
     
    Do you like solving riddles and thinking logically through evidence. Campers will be given opportunities to test their analytical powers while comparing evidence to samples. You will learn how to methodically secure, search, and investigate a crime scene. Based on the story and the clues, you will learn how to justify any conclusions you draw from handwriting samples, blood splatter, hair, fiber, fingerprint, and toxicology evidence. During this class several Science Olympiad concepts will be covered.

  • Innovation Lab: Engineering with Technology
    innovation lab course icon
    Length: 1 week of ½ day classes
    Dates: TBD
    Teacher: Mike Rogan
     
    Are you interested in engineering and technology? In the Innovation Lab class, students will explore these fields by working with a wide variety of projects by applying basic engineering principles and technical skills.

  • Pottery
    pottery icon
    Length: 1 week of ½ day classes
    Dates: TBD
    Teacher: Lauren Fowler
     
    Spend a week exploring the pottery wheel! Campers will create cups, plates and bowls out of clay. During camp we will explore creative ways to glaze pottery. Beginning and experienced students are welcome. All projects are microwave/dishwasher safe. Come dressed to get dirty!

  • Printmaking 101
    printing camp icon of stamp transfer
    Length: 1 week of ½ day classes
    Dates: TBD
    Teacher: Yue Chen
     
    Have you ever wondered how to print a graphic Tshirt? Do you want to design and produce greeting cards for your friends and family? Would you like to learn about the history of Printmaking, one of the oldest art-making methods in human history? Welcome to Printmaking 101! In this class, campers will be exposed to Relief, Intalio and Monotype. They will work with both water-soluble and oil-based ink, Lino board, plexiglass and cutting tools to create their art! With Relief technique, they will create images, transfer to a lino board and print on Tshirts, banners or hats. Campers will also create greeting cards by using Monoprint and Intalio. Have fun and INK up!

  • Computer Programming
    computer building science camp
    Length: 1 week of ½ day classes
    Dates: TBD
    Teacher: Arman Banimahd
     
    An introductory course which will teach students the basic ideas of programming languages such as loops, control structures, syntax, etc. Code will be written in both Java and Python and will be heavily based in a graphical environment.

  • Outdoor Environmental Science
    Outdoor Environmental Education
    Length: 1 week of ½ day classes
    Dates: TBD
    Teacher: Kevin Hagen
     
     
    Let’s get outside! Come explore the Lake Forest Academy campus and surrounding savanna with an environmental lens. Each day will focus on a different unit, from aquatics and water quality testing, wildlife ecology and tracking to forestry and tree identification, soil science, and mapping with GPS. Each half day session will give campers time inside the classroom engaging in inquiry-based labs, and time outside of the classroom bringing these laboratory concepts to life.

  • Robotics
    robotics science camp
    Length: 1 week of ½ day classes
    Dates: TBD
    Teacher: Arman Banimahd
     
    Learn to create small functioning robots and program them to do a task in this hands on, interactive camp. You will learn both skills in engineering, problem solving, and computer programming as you try and create a robot to perform a task.

  • eSports and League of Legends
    e-gaming controller icon
    Length: 1 week of ½ day classes
    Dates: TBD
    Teacher: Joe Ward
     
    Learn about the fastest growing sport in the world during this half-day, week-long exploration of eSports and League of Legends. Campers will learn how to create an account on the League of Legends server, join games, create games with friends, and use the practice tool. We will also learn about the different positions and champions, research techniques and game strategies. We will discuss online safety when gaming, how to choose a good username and when and how to use the chat window appropriately and safely. Each day will have one-on-one matches to test skills as well as team matches to practice playing as a team.

  • Acting
    comedy and tragedy mask icon for acting camp
    Length: 1 week of ½ day classes
    Dates: TBD
    Teacher: Matt Boresi
     
    For young performers with stage experience, those looking to try acting for the first time, or those just looking to build confidence, this class will help budding actors work on their voice, movement, character creation, and reactions. The camp will feature theatre games and up-beat ensemble activities and is capped off with a brief showcase for parents and friends.

  • Stagecraft
    theater stage icon
    Length: 1 week of ½ day classes
    Dates: TBD
    Teacher: Jason Koenig
     
    Stagecraft is an introduction to the technical and production aspects of a stage event. Students learn the skills needed to construct scenery, design lighting for productions and use the elements of a professional grade sound system. Students will use construction tools, work with professional lighting and sound equipment, learn scenery painting techniques and more. 

  • Math Modeling and Exploration
    two dimensional curve graph icon
    Length: 1 week of ½ day classes
    Dates: TBD
    Teacher: Paul Makovec
     
    Math Modeling and Exploration takes students’ understanding to a deeper level than often discovered in traditional classrooms and helps them solve a common question asked in school: When will we ever use this stuff? This course breaks down mathematical topics analytically, numerically, graphically, and conceptually through hands-on discovery and real-world data analysis.

  • Human Impact - from Home to Planet
    environmental science summer camp
    Length: 1 week of ½ day classes
    Dates: TBD
    Teacher: Kevin Hagen
     
    What does it mean to say we are “going green?” How big is your carbon footprint? Is global warming real and what can we do about it? What can one person do? These are only a few of the questions that come up every day when looking at the environment and the impact humans have on it. In this class, campers will explore these questions and many more through discussion, debate, activities, and hands on laboratory experiments. Learn how you can impact the environment and leave it in a better place!

  • DNA Technology and Genetics
    dna tech and genetics science camp
    Length: 1 week of ½ day classes
    Dates: TBD
    Teacher: Ruth Smith
     
    What does the future of medicine look like? Are X-men possible? In this week-long class genetics will be explored using various methods including classical Mendelian genetics and some innovative applicative biotechnology. Students will begin to develop mathematical skills that aid in analysis of population genetics and will conduct population studies. DNA technology will be examined and students will begin to develop skills used by genetic engineers. DNA technology is the next great technology and this course will allow students to understand the future direction of this discipline of biology.

  • Amazing Human Body
    human body science camp
    Length: 1 week of ½ day classes
    Dates: TBD
    Teacher: Debbie Witmer
     
    209 bones, over 700 muscles, 100 billion neurons, 28 feet of intestines, 8 pounds of skin. The human body is an amazing machine made up of 11 systems that function together to make us who we are. In the week-long class, you will discover how these systems work and participate in hands on activities that showcase the wonderful workings of the human body! At the end of the week you will dissect a fetal pig and relate structure to function in regard to body systems.

  • Engineering Design
    engineering design science camp
    Length: 1 week of ½ day classes
    Dates: TBD
    Teacher: Ed Shaughnessy
     
    Campers will learn how to build a variety of devices that they can take home to impress their family and friends. During the course of one week, campers will design and build an object using a CAD program and a 3D printer, build a speaker from scratch that works with a phone, build an AM crystal radio that does not need batteries to function, design, build and race a solar powered car, build a generator that can illuminate an LED and build a DC motor using common household items.