Mentor Kenosha Racine
With the school year ending many activities are opening in the area for our middle school mentors and mentees. Below is a list of a few of the events. It is suggested that volunteers attend the Instructor-Led Environmental activities held on Saturdays from 9am - 11am if available. If you and your mentee are interested in participating in our summer program please contact Roz Lenzke at 262-637-7625.
The Summer STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) program will be led by UW-Staff at the Root River Environmental Education Community Center (REC) in Racine or at the Center for Environmental Education, Demonstration, and Applied Research (CEDARS) in Kenosha. All supplies are provided, and youth will take home an item they create each day.
REC is located at 1301 W. 6th Street in Racine. They also offer Canoeing, Kayaking, Fishing, Biking, and Geocaching. CEDARS is located at 7825 1st Ave. in Kenosha. They also offer Swimming, Hiking and Geocaching.
SUMMER STEM PROGRAMS
July 10th - SUN - Sun prints & S'mores - REC
Make your own S'mores in solar ovens by concentrating the sun's direct energy. Also you will learn how chemical recations using indirect solar energy helps plants grow and help solar cells convert light into electricity. Youth and mentors will create solar prints using light-sensitive material
July 17th - WIND - The Power of Wind - CEDARS
Kites have been flown for centuries, and wind energy was one of the stable, renewable sources of power for settlers and farmers across the American plains. Learn how wind energy is being captured in Wisconsin and how you can use the engineering design process to build alternative energy projects. Each youth and mentor will design their own kite and hovercraft.
July 24th - WATER - Investigating Water Pollutants and Water Analysis - REC
What causes water pollution? How is it detected? How can polluted water be treated? Using safe, easy-to-use chemical tests, mentors will help youth analyze water samples for a variety of common pollutants and learn how certain levels can pose a danger to wildlife and man.
July 31st - EARTH - Fun with Fossil Fuels - CEDARS
All fossil fuels at one time started as organic matter - plants and animals. Each youth will make their own renewable/biodegradable plastic from cooking ingredients available in the kitchen cupboard. We will also learn how composting and recycling relate to the production of methane gas and what energy companies in Wisconsin are doing to capture sustainable energy.
August 7th - PLANTS - Secrets of Soy - REC
Soybeans are a renewable and sustainable resource grown by farmers in Wisconsin. Soy oil and waxes produce longer burn times than petroleum based products, burn cleaner and are environmentally friendly. Youth and mentors will rotate through a series of hands-on activity stations to learn about the secrets of the soybean.
August 14th - ANIMALS - Honeycomb Candles - CEDARS
This hands-on activity appeals to each of the 5 senses. Each youth makes their own natural beeswax honeycomb candle as they learn about the importance animals and food in the energy cycle.
