The SAM Blog

STEAM Summer Camp Success in New Haven

STEAM Summer Camp Success in New Haven

New Haven Public Schools Successful Summer Camp for Grades 2 and 3

More than 320 students participated with 16 teachers in this STEAM summer camp success in New Haven, Connecticut. Students coded their own camp-themed creations throughout the summer while integrating multiple core subjects.

Second and third grade students completed STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math) activities. They engineered designs using SAM Labs Summer Camp Lesson Content and SAM Labs STEAM Solutions. 

Student participants created:

  • A campfire that crackles and lights up using a sensor
  • A tent designed to withstand the elements — and coded the storm
  • A campfire story (including all the story elements) and then retold the story with coded sound effects and a coded simulation of fireflies
  • A multisensory compass and a 3D map-to-code directions for their partner to follow
  • A car tested on an off road obstacle course

When asked about the SAM Labs Summer Camp program, a teacher replied, “The kids loved it. I loved it!”

STEAM Camp Connected Multiple Subjects and Learning Styles

The summer camp program brought together mathematics, literacy, and science, and provided new skills learning to code. Since coding is done in small groups, teams were created to guide and help each other along the way. This collaboration also helped these youngsters hone their teamwork and leadership skills.

English language learners thrived coding in this setting as well. SAM Space software used for coding allows participants to change language settings. Instructors transitioned into ELL students’ native languages — like Spanish — to help students throughout each activity. 

SAM Labs Support Increased Camp Success

Camp staff and organizers were supported through onboarding with SAM Labs Educational consultants. This SAM Labs team, made up of former educators, provided professional development to the staff to make sure they were confident in the lesson content and coding. 

“This is truly an amazing experience,” one teacher said about teaching the SAM Labs Summer Camp. “I would LOVE to see this 

program in all of our schools. I wish we had a science coach in each school who could facilitate and team teach these lessons.” 

More STEAM opportunities with SAM Labs

What’s next after this STEAM summer camp success? Now the teachers of New Haven Public Schools will get to share in the learning and fun by receiving STEAM Solutions on different campuses to utilize throughout the school year with SAM Labs lesson content. 

Read more about this success story in this New Haven Independent article with even more highlights and quotes from teachers and students.