The Westminster College Preschool Lab hosted a Summer Science Camp June 14-18 for children aged four-six.

Forty children from the surrounding area attended either a morning or an afternoon session under the supervision of the preschool's certified teachers, Diana Reed and Debi Roud. The hands-on program provided opportunities to learn basic science concepts through a variety of daily activities and guest speakers.

Adventures in Air featured Dr. Stephanie Corrette-Bennett, mobile educator with Westminster's Science in Motion program, who demonstrated air balloon rockets. Additional activities included wind socks, airplane construction, and outdoor wind experiments.

Dr. Helen Boylan, Westminster associate professor of chemistry, presented Magical Mystery Tour. The children were introduced to terms that included test tubes, lab coats, and indicators and Boylan conducted three experiments that exhibited reaction and change. Children made mystery paintings, magic toothpick tricks, and homemade silly putty.

A five-year-old camper from Sharpsville proclaimed, "I love science so much that when I grow up I'm going to be a scientist and wear a lab coat like Dr. Boylan."

Wednesday's theme, Fabulous Forces, highlighted physics with Dr. Douglas Armstead, Westminster assistant professor of physics. He presented demonstrations to illustrate Newton's Law of Motion. The day's activities included tablecloth tricks, an egg drop experiment, and squeeze bottle rockets, and concluded with Wacky Wheel racing.

Dr. Marosh Furimsky, Westminster assistant professor of biology, spoke on Living Things, showing frogs, axolotls, a tarantula, fish, cactus, and worms. The session included toad abodes, earthworm play, making animal and plant observations, and ended with a living things scavenger hunt.

Reed and Roud wrapped up the week with Water Works and a discussion of the water cycle. Children experimented with diffusion, using paper towels and food coloring, and enjoyed outdoor water play, bubble play, and making their own human bubbles.

Westminster College students who assisted with the camp were junior psychology and elementary education major Krista Bittengle, a daughter of Cynthia Bittengle, McMechen, W.V., and James Bittengle, St. Clairsville, Ohio, and a graduate of Bishop Donahue High School; and sophomore psychology major Leah Hunter, a daughter of David and Tawnee Hunter, New Wilmington, and a graduate of Wilmington Area High School.

The camp was sponsored by Westminster's Drinko Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning. The Drinko Center was created to enrich undergraduate education at Westminster through advancing world-class teaching as well as by participating in collaborations that address community and regional needs including strengthening K-12 education. Visit www.westminster.edu/drinko for more information on the Drinko Center.

The Westminster College Preschool Lab, established in 1990, is a multi-purpose facility that serves the College and the community. Designed by early childhood experts, the laboratory school incorporates innovative curriculum, well-trained staff, developmentally appropriate equipment, and individual attention. Under the direction of Dr. Mandy Medvin, Westminster professor and Gibson-Drinko Distinguished Chair of Psychology, Reed, and Roud, the preschool is accredited by the National Academy of Early Childhood Programs.

Contact Reed or Roud at (724) 946-7174 or visit www.psych.westminster.edu/preschool/index.html for additional information about the Preschool Lab and its programs.