STEP Academy - Junior Space Explorers - Program

About STEP Academy Switzerland

We are a part of a global network of private education centers developed in 21 countries. The STEP network includes 4 private universities, 10 private schools, and 102 training centers (Jan 2021).

The Swiss branch was created in March 2018 and offers various programs for children between 4 and 17 years old. Throughout the school year, STEP Academy offers courses as well as camps during school holidays.

These programs introduce children to programming, 3D design, robotics, space exploration, video game creation, experimental science, science, digital arts & filmmaking.

Summer Camp 2021 Locations in Switzerland Basel, Bern, Geneva, Lausanne, Lucerne, Vevey, Zurich.

Schedule

09:00 - 09:15 - Arrival.

09:15 - 10:30 - Outdoor activities & sports.

10:30 - 12:00 - First class.

12:00 - 12:30 - Lunch.

12:30 - 14:00 - Second class.

14:00 - 14:30 - Break.

14:30 - 16:00 - Third class.

16:00 - 16:30 - Fruit break.

16:00 - 18:00 - Outdoor activities & sports.

18:00 - 18:30 - Departure (Late pick-up)*

* Speci c times should be arranged in advance.

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Camp Materials

LEGO® WeDo robotic set (one per child). iPad (one per child).

Water rockets and pumps.

3D-printed science toys.

Paper, color pencils, tape.

Cardboard, straws, sticks & toothpicks, paper cups, rubber bands.

Flour and cacao powder.

Glue guns.

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Monday Morning

Lesson 1-1: LEGO® WeDo Fen & Satellite Projects

Description

1. Students should follow the building instructions to build the model of the fan. This is one of the simplest models to be built and experiment with by improving the length of propellers.

2. Moving Satellite project introduces building and coding using the motor further, making it turn for a set amount of time and then change direction.

References

1. https://education.lego.com/en-us/lessons/wedo-2-mini-lessons/cooling-fan 2. https://education.lego.com/en-us/lessons/wedo-2-mini-lessons/moving-satellite

Afternoon

Lesson 1-2: Space Experiments - Part 1

Description

1. Tornado in a Bottle. In this activity, students will observe the creation of a water vortex by swirling water in a bottle. The swirling motion of the bottle creates a vacuum. The motion also creates a pathway for the air as the water moves the air mass below.

2. Make an Astronaut Lander. In this challenge, design and build a lander that will protect two "astronauts" when they touch down. Just as engineers had to develop solutions for landing different kinds of vehicles on the Moon and Mars, you will follow the engineering design process to design and build a shock-absorbing system out of simple materials; and improve your design based on the results of your test landings.

References

1. https://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/ les/atoms/ les/tornado_in_a_bottle.pdf 2. https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/edu/learn/project/make-an-astronaut-lander/

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Camp Curriculum

Morning

Lesson 2-1: LEGO® WeDo - Global Eye

Description

Going through asteroid belts and other space dangers, we have nally reached the orbit of a planet that is similar to Earth. We need to scan the terrain and nd out if we can settle a colony. To achieve it, we need to build a network of Global Eye projects. Let's create another type of satellite robot and assemble them into groups of 2 or 3 robots to move in various directions.

Reference

https://youtu.be/qJeZ5lZvdOo

Afternoon

Lesson 2-2: Make a Moon Crater and Straw Rocket

Description

1. Look at the Moon. Can you see those circular shapes all across the face of the Moon and the lines extending from them? Those circular shapes are craters and the lines are "ejecta rays" made from material blasted out of the crater. You can make craters like those on the Moon using simple baking ingredients! And explore how it works.

2. Create a paper rocket that can be launched from a soda straw – then, modify the design to make the rocket y farther!

References

1. https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/edu/learn/project/make-a-straw-rocket/ 2. https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/edu/learn/project/make-a-moon-crater/

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Tuesday

Morning

Lesson 3-1: LEGO® WeDo - Space Elevator

Description

To launch orbiting spacecraft and various cargos, we have to spend high amounts of costly and not eco-friendly fuel. Creating a space elevator should signi cantly reduce the costs of space exploration. The idea behind this device is to attach a long wire to the Earth and into orbit. Students should build and program their space elevators with LEGO WeDo. The elevators should be at least 80 cm high.

Reference

https://youtu.be/qJeZ5lZvdOo

Afternoon

Lesson 3-2: Land a Spacecraft on Target and Make a Cardboard Rover

Description

1. Have you ever wondered how hard it is to land at a speci c spot on the Moon, Mars, or another planet? Find out in this activity by building a device that can zip down a line and drop a "lander" onto a target.

2. Students will build a rubber-band-powered rover that can scramble across the room. Build your rover out of cardboard, gure out how to use rubber bands to spin the wheels, and use the engineering design process to improve your rover based on testing results.

References

1. https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/edu/learn/project/land-a-spacecraft-on-target/ 2. https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/edu/learn/project/make-a-cardboard-rover/

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Wednesday

Morning

Lesson 4-1: LEGO® WeDo - Planet Scout

Description

Scout robots can help us to nd resources to develop the colony. You can use special sensors to nd speci c signals. Such antennas can rotate and determine the required location. The goal is to build fast robots and unite them in one team to complete an obstacle course and arrive at valuable resources.

Reference

https://youtu.be/qJeZ5lZvdOo

Afternoon

Lesson 4-2: Cardboard Robotic Hand

Description

1. Combine your engineering and creative thinking skills to create a robot hand. This simple and inventive activity will show you how to create a moving, bendable hand.

2. Build a paper helicopter. Just as NASA engineers had to try out different versions of the Mars helicopter before coming up with a nal design, students will experiment with the design of your helicopter to see what works best.

Reference

1. https://www.babcockinternational.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/DIY-Robot-HandActivity-Final.pdf 2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e1c095iTIqs

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Thursday

Morning

Lesson 5-1: LEGO® WeDo - Alien Robot

Description

Today is a big day in the history of the human race. We have found intelligent life outside Earth! Not the alien being themselves, but they left a lot of broken robots. Students' task is to repair the robot, nd out more about the mysterious race, why they left the planet, and where they went. Results may surprise everybody.

Reference

https://youtu.be/qJeZ5lZvdOo

Afternoon

Lesson 5-2: Water Bottle Rocket.

Description

What makes rockets y straight? What makes rockets y far? Why use water to make the rocket y? Students are challenged to design and build rockets from two-liter plastic soda bottles that travel as far and straight as possible or stay aloft as long as possible. Teams design for maximum distance or hang time; adding a parachute is optional.

Reference

https://www.teachengineering.org/activities/view/ucd_bottlerockets_activity1

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Friday

Frequently Asked Questions

Why I should enroll my child in our camp?

The camp has a structured and profound program that will keep students interested and motivated every day. It is based on open-ended tasks and teamwork that are vital for the future.

What level is required?

Teamwork and open exploration format allow to interest children who did science and tech camps before and those who do it for the first time.

What is the objective of the camp?

Deliver knowledge about space topics, create interdisciplinary links between math, geometry, physics, and chemistry. Inspire children to learn more, explore new topics, be curious.

What are our contract and obligations?

We promise a happy, secure and welcoming learning environment and the achievement of our objectives.

How many children are in the group?

Depending on the weeks, there may be 2-4 groups. The teacher per student ratio is 1 to 8 in any case.

Do you accept girls?

Yes, we are proud to have 40-60% of girls in our classes. We make sure that our camps are inclusive and interesting for every child.

Who are your teachers?

Alumni of technical universities with teaching experience.

How many children did the camp?

In Switzerland, we have organized camps for the previous 4 years. The total number of students is above 2000 children.

You are based in Geneva, so you ensure that the camp is organized properly in other cities?

We have created detailed video instructions and framework documents for every lesson and outdoor activity. Selected teachers should complete an online course before being assigned to the role.

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Team

Vitalii Varbanets

Cristina Zogg

Ruslana Ilina

Nadine Radanovich

Co-Founder & Director

Partnership Manager

Expansion Manager

Expansion Manager

Nadim Ammoury

Marika Nabok

Ihor Arsenyuk

Juba Chebrine

Expansion Manager

Admissions Manager

Programs Creator

Client Manager

Bassel Haddad

Amine Hamdoud

Serhii Halchuk

Client Manager

Client Manager

Marketing Manager

Contact Details

IT STEP Academy, Rue Richard-Wagner 1, 1202 Website: itstep.org, Email: education.ch@itstep.org, Phone and WhatsApp: + 41 22 501 7051 IBAN - CH59 0483 5154 9753 0100 0

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