Camp Video

If you were able to stay for the Closing Ceremony you got to see 2010's camp video. Or at least version 1.0 of it. Now you can see version 2.0 on Facebook if you want. Branch Coordinators got copies of 1.0 that they will hopefully distribute to all their campers, but the new and improved version is longer and has no sideways pictures. Head over to the Tech Trek Fresno group page on Facebook if you want to check it out. No way to download it yet, but I'll work on that. While you're there, you might as well join the group, as well as tag yourself in any photos or videos you find. And say hi!

- Becca

After Camp Announcements

A few announcements after camp. Yes, I know camp is not technically over, but most of you probably won't read this until after you get home. We have a Facebook group in order to keep track of everybody. It's under Tech Trek Fresno and we hope you'll join and say hi.

Day 6, 2010

This post isn't from the girls because they had a very busy night. So this is Becca, and I'll try to fill you in.

Today we didn't have labs. Instead we got to build towers, gak, or work on puzzles. The gak seemed to be the most popular, at least judging by the amount of it on hands, clothes, and the carpet. The towers were pretty impressive. They were made pretty much out of straws and a little cord.

We had out last day of core classes and they finished with a bang. The Construction class got to destroy their bridges. The Chemistry class saw a hydrogen (I think) balloon explode. The CSI class presented their ideas on who the culprit was while the Women in Mathematics class presented their research projects. Coaster class built a roller coaster down the stairway and Art in Mathematics finished their large mobiles. It was quite the busy afternoon.

This evening we had our talent show, or as it was renamed, "Emanon Lounge." Every group did a skit or a song; some did more than one. I (Becca) had a camper from each group impersonate their counselor in a skit. Every one was spot on and absolutely hilarious. We had some individuals sing or dance, as well as a teacher sing us a song. After that we had popcorn and cake to celebrate the three birthdays that happened during camp. The girls probably still aren't asleep, since this is the last night. It's been a great week, and it will be sad to see everybody leave tomorrow.

Day 5, 2010

Challenger Day!

Today we went to the Challenger Center! This is a place where the families of the people who died in the Challenger Mission created so that others could learn and build important skills. We build and launched rockets and cars. We also did a simulated mission to Mars. Each person was assigned a job and we used communication, problem solving, and teamwork to succeed. The day was adventurous and fun. Only Tech Trek could think of such an outstanding field trip.

At the Challenger Center we got to do a simulation of a Mars space mission. We had to land a probe on one of Mars' moons. A few times we had problems that endangered the mission. For example there was an air pressure leak and we had to solve the problem. We were each assigned specific jobs and roles to play. Then we had to keep everybody safe and complete the mission successfully. We had a lot of fun, and we learned how to communicate, problem solve, and work as a team. In navigation, we had to find a route to our landing site. On the other hand, on the job of isolation you had to be very careful with the substance and measuring correctly. In medical we had to check badges, take eye and cardio tests on ourselves and others. Life support was hard because we had 3 seconds to fix the oxygen tank. We had to fix it ourselves and all of us were definitely freaking out, but at the last second we fixed the oxygen tank and were saved. All in all, it was a crazy, but fun, day.

While we were at the Center we got to make rockets and launch them. We were given a template to help us build our rocket. The thick paper made it hard to fold and roll it up. If we didn't roll it tight enough, the engine wouldn't stay when we stuck it in. After that we were given crayons to decorate. At the end of the project, we launched them. Some of the rockets were completely ruined while others were perfectly fine. A few went really high!

We also got to make cars. First we were given half a soda bottle, a motor, a battery, and a lot of tape. We then hooked up the motor to the battery and found that when the battery touched the motor, the car moved! We decorated our cars and then raced! At the end of the day, we learned the most important things you need in a team are: teamwork, problem solving, and communication. Today was awesome!

Written by: Tamara P., Jasmine R., Megan C., Mia G., Emily H., Kaylee M., Megan P., Mariana A., Stephanie, Lupe, Jessica A., Adriana C., Savannah G., Allie J.

Day 4, 2010

Sorry for the late update! Wednesday night is an early night, because we have a very early morning on Thursday. So you get two updates today!

Today was our last day of morning labs. We got our last rotation of either DNA, Mathemagic, Computer Programming, and Canoeing. In DNA we got to extract DNA from strawberries and in Mathemagic we learn some fun math tricks, like how to make a Mobius strip, and making every number equal 7. We also had our third day of Core Classes today, and we got to build our bridges and coaster, do our last tests in CSI, perform more experiements in Chemistry, and finish our projects in Art and Women in Mathematics.

Tonight we had the privilege of meeting some women from Cal State Fresno during Career Night. We were inspired by many speakers who taught us about many different careers and their paths getting there. The careers included biotechnology, animal science, engineering, economics, graphic design, and more. We had a great time learning skills and other people's experiences to help us in the future.

Day 3, 2010

Today was overall a great day. In the morning switched to a different morning lab - either canoeing, mathemagic, DNA, or computer programming. Canoers were up bright and early and went for a short canoe ride then a swim. They also learned about different animals that live in the river. After that we all prepared for the Challenger field trip. After core classes everyone had R&R. We played some games before going bowling.

This morning we had a harder time waking up because last night caught up to us. After tubling out of bed, team blue went canoeing and red and gold ate breakfast and participated in labs. Then we had free time to mainly relax and finish our name signs for our rooms. After that we went to lunch and had a great time.

This evening, we played ultimate versions of classic kid games. We played duck, duck, goose and rock paper scissors. After that we went to the campus bowling alley. The games were intense. It was a lot harder than it seemed. It was hard and super fun. Cheers erupted when kids got spares and strikes. Encouragement was given to the others. Afterwards we went to our dorms. Overall, we had an amazing night.

Written by: Danielle S., Jennay A., Leanne R., Ashley R., Simberlee P., Madeline O., Vanessa T, LeAnna Y., Haley B., McKenna S., Natalie M., Cheyenne M., Sara W., Lena K.

Day 2, 2010

Today all of our groups went to different activities in the morning. We went canoeing or to mathemagic, DNA, or programming. In the afternoon we took different core classes with amazing teachers. Later on in the evening we played different games and went to the planetarium.

Today some of us went canoeing and some stayed on campus. The canoers netted things from the river, went on a nature hike, and went canoeing down the San Joaquin River. On campus, we made posters of famous mathmeticians, made boxes and perspective drawings, or learned about building plans in our math classes. In our science classes, we learned about inertia, did a chemical experiment to shrink a can, or made observations of a (fake) crime scene.

Towards the end of the day, we did team building activities and took a trip to the planetarium. For team building, we played different games to teach us how to be better teammates and show respect towards our dorm members. At the planetarium, we learned some history of astronomy and our solar system. We got to see different constellations and planets, too. Afterwards we looked through a telescope to see the moon and Saturn.

Written by: Megan W., Alyssa E., Quinn G., Sierra B., Rebecca M., Gloria O., Abby L., Mayra Z.

Day 1, 2010

What a day! It was full of fun experiences, new people, and interesting opportunities, and activities. The day started with check in. Everybody was anxious to meet their roommates. "Will she be nice? Will she be a 3 eyed freak from Mars?" Luckily, most were satisfied with their buddy. After check in, we went over rules and initial things to expect this week. We said goodbye to our parents and became women on our own in the wilderness (if you call a college campus the wilderness). The rest of the day consisted of photos, mingling, and peculiar group names. Overall, this was a wonderful, fun-filled day.

To start off, our first activity was getting together and then going over the rules. After the schedule, we sang happy birthday to Haley.Then we did the cooperating and teamwork activities. Then we made our group posters. After that we met back together and showed the posters.

The singular experience of living in a college environment felt both exciting and scary. Meeting new people was cool because sometimes it's people that you wouldn't think of talking to under different circumstances. The first day was an enthralling experience. Hopefully the rest of the week will be equally enjoyable.

Written by: Nia B., Estrella V., Hannah T., Ayusha J., Angela G., Jackie R., Soundarya J., Jasmine H., Emilie C., Rachelle P., Vanessa M., Kayla L., Karina C., Ellen D.

Welcome!

Welcome to Tech Trek's blog for the Fresno campus. If you've found this, you are probably a parent of one of our campers, and we hope that reading this will give you a little taste for what your camper is experiencing. Each evening, a group of campers will write a few paragraphs about what they did during the day. We hope you enjoy! Feel free to comment about our activities if you'd like.