Age (5) Ages (6 & 7) Ages (8-12)
Columbus Junior Engineering Camp
Our Columbus Engineering Camp is engaged in the development of children’s creativity through playing and learning with Lego equipment.
Students are grouped according to age and are exposed to a variety of different themes to lead them to our Learning Outcomes throughout the week.
Students take part in group projects as well as individual and small group activities. Students learn new skills and have ample opportunities to implement these new found skills during the course of the week.
Time is also allocated to “free play” each day. This provides students with the opportunity to develop their level of play with their new found skills.
- Using toy construction bricks the young engineer is taught by qualified individuals to construct colourful creations such as buildings, pyramids and towers.
- Children work in groups and get individual attention to ensure their day is filled with fun, as they learn the very basics of construction, balance, engineering and design.
Ages: (5-7) years
- This workshop based summer camp allows children to develop their construction and engineering abilities.
- They will be taught the basics of structural engineering using plastic bricks and construction pieces by a qualified engineer.
- Both individual and group projects are carried out across the week, ensuring a fun-filled, highly educational week.
- Students will leave with a basic knowledge of structural engineering concepts such as the effect of force, balance and suspension.
Science Experiments
Students absolutely love this module. It is totally hands-on with the students working in pairs and actively carrying out the experiments themselves once shown by the science tutors. It’s a fun and exciting module as well as being super educational.
From building a Ferris wheel to Exploring Surface Tension, from Elephant Toothpaste to Dancing Raisins, from Sink or Float to Exploring Colours with Baking Soda/Vinegar, from Magnet Magic to Will it melt?, from LEGO Boats to Magic Milk Experiment, from Exploding Soap to Magical Balloon and many many more experiments, one of these simple experiments might just be the light bulb moment that inspires your child to be a scientist for life!!!
Columbus Senior Engineering Camp
Ages: (8-12) years
- This is the most advanced of our engineering camps.
- Here the older students are led by a qualified engineer in a week of workshops in structural engineering
- Plastic bricks and connecting pieces are used to create a wide range of constructions, including pyramids, skyscrapers, bridges and wind turbines.
- Students will also work on computer software at Columbus Club to learn about Robotics and its applications.
Learning Outcomes
- Construction: This provides children with the opportunity to work on team building projects, as well as time to explore their own creativity through free building.
- Bridge Construction: Students learn “to come up” with their own design and implement it, as well as learning the importance of structural soundness.
- Machines and Mechanisms: Students learn to explore resources for physical science and technology including renewable energy and pneumatics.
- Forces and Energy: Students explore kinetic and potential energy through the construction of mechanisms and vehicles.
- Problem Solving: Students discover ways to make vehicles go faster downhill (e.g. change weight). Another example involves students building bridges to span a specific distance using the minimum amount of materials.
- Lego Technic: Students build vehicles with motors and gears (mechanical engineering).
- Measurement: Students learn to measure distance, gearing down, gear ratios, calibrating scales etc.
- Renewable Energy Add-On Set: These kits allow students to learn all about renewable energy sources. These sets feature a solar panel, turbine blades, a motor/generator, LED lights and an extension wire.
- Mindstorm: Lego at this level appeals to students interested in computers, building and creating, programming and robotics.
Definition of Terms
Your child will learn about Potential energy which is the energy of an object or a system due to the position of the body. For example, a Lego vehicle at the top of a slope.
They will also experience the Kinetic energy of an object which is the energy it possesses due to its motion.
Friction is the force resisting relative motion of solid surfaces, fluid layers, and material elements sliding against each other. For example, the students will be taught why their vehicles come to a stop eventually. They will understand the theory as they work through some exercises in a practical way.
Pneumatics is a section of technology that deals with the study and application of pressurised gas to produce mechanical motion. Again, students will gain solid knowledge in this section through a hands-on approach using the various kits.
We have broadened this Camp to include workshops in Chess and in Science. Both workshops are hands on.
Summer Dates:
Week 1: Monday, 1st July – Friday, 5th July
Week 2: Monday, 8th July – Friday, 12th July
Week 3: Monday, 15th July – Friday, 19th July
Week 4: Monday, 22nd July – Friday, 26th July
Week 5: Monday, 29th July – Friday, 2nd August
Week 6: Tuesday, 6th August – Friday, 9th August
Week 7: Monday, 12th August – Friday, 16th August
Times:
9.00am – 3.00pm
Fees:
€175 per week
€160 per bank holiday week
Please Remember:
Bring Morning Snacks, Packed Lunch, Bottle of Water & Sun Cream
Columbus Club Cancellation Policy:
Columbus Club will make a full refund in the event of a cancellation if an email or text is received three weeks before the start date of the week your child was scheduled to start the camp.
For any cancellations sought within the three-week period please note that refunds will not be made.