Post Contributed by Jocelyne Adkins, Program Director/Educator
Our theme for week 2 of our Summer Adventures Camp was "The Art of Concealment". Highlights from Andy Coppersmith's morning sessions included the creation of "Inspector Gadget" head-wear and an outdoor flag game inspired by semaphore flag signals.
In the afternoon with Maegan Jenkins, students learned how artist Alexander Calder used shaped symbols in his mobiles to conceal messages. Children then had the opportunity to create a symbol system to include secret messages in mobiles of their own design. Ms. Jenkin's students also learned about masquerades and designed masks to transform themselves into a hybrid of 3 different animals. These new hybrids were revealed at our masquerade event and field trip to the Oak Park Conservatory.
With Jocelyne's afternoon sessions, students enrolled in the "BD Spy Academy" and learned about spy careers and the art of disguise. They also participated in physical training exercises and learned how to create codes to communicate with other agents in secret.
This week was quite unique in approach and so much fun! We invite you to take a look below : )
Project: Outdoor Flag Game (Inspired by Semaphore Flag Signals) / Teacher: Andy Coppersmith
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| Group Flag Photo: Liam, Mei-Li, Caroline & Jeremiah with their original flag designs |
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| Mei-Li used her glitter pen in a zig-zag motion. The result: a design with added shimmer & movement! |
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| Eva writing a series of actions to be performed, based upon the position of the hand-held flag |
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| Caroline, in progress |
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| Caroline: a glowing crown design |
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| Jeremiah's completed design |
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| Joaquin, in progress |
Project: Alexander Calder ~ Secret Message Mobiles / Teacher: Maegan Jenkins
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| Ms. Jenkins presenting Calder's symbols and codes |
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| Emily, in progress, with secret message mobile |
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| Joel, in progress |
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| Mei-Li developing her secret message |
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| Liam cutting out shapes for his mobile |
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| Aidan, working on his mobile design |
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| Emily' s completed mobile |
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| Mei-Li's completed mobile |
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| Norah's completed mobile |
Project: Animal Hybrid Masks and Masquerade at The Oak Park Conservatory / Teacher: Maegan Jenkins
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| Group shot ~ Animal Hybrid Masks |
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| The faces behind the masks! Front: Jeremiah and Joel; Back: Sivan, Caroline, Mei-Li, Liam, Eva & Aidan |
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| Students preparing to perform actions given by Ms. Jenkins (in character, animal hybrids) |
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| Mei-Li, in character, animal hybrid |
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| last action, in character |
Below are photos of plants and animals that especially captured the students' interests:
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| Koi |
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| Turtles! |
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| Parrot talk: "hello"& "go back home" are favorites of this parrot |
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| Grey parrot |
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| Carnivorous Pitcher Plants |
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| Desert Room |
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| Tropical Room |
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| Desert Room Sculpture! |
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| Parrot |
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| Fern Room |
After our visit at the OP Conservatory, we walked over to Rehm Park for some outdoor free play:
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| Sivan |
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| Liam, Joel (back) and Sivan |
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| Mei-Li |
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| Caroline |
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| Aidan and Omer (Beye Discovery's student assistant) |
Project: Secret Agent 101: Coded Bracelets & Necklaces / Teacher: Jocelyne Adkins
Students had the choice to create a necklace or bracelet that would either be identical to another agent's (to allow for easy identification of each other while on assignment and in disguise) or to use the bracelet as a way to create and send a coded message.
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| Jeremiah |
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| Norah |
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| Caroline |
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| Emily |
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| Aidan |
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| Sivan and Mei-Li |
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| Norah |
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| Joel |
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| Emily |
Project: Secret Agent 101: The Art of Disguise / Teacher: Jocelyne Adkins
Children can more easily escape detection as spies because they are children! That said, young spies should keep their true identities secret and disguise themselves while on assignment. Please Note: Below is classified information: you are not allowed to share this with anyone!
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| Sivan as Secret Agent Lital |
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| Aidan as Secret Agent Zack Simpson |
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Liam as Secret Agent Johny
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| Joel as Secret Agent Adam Walker Wallace |
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Mei-Li as Secret Agent Lily Rooks
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| Jeremiah as Secret Agent Adam Davenport |
Free time & outdoor play on the Beye Playground:
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| Group Photo: Sivan, Jeremiah, Norah, Joel and Aidan |
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| Liam with Omer, Beye Discovery Student Assistant |
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| Liam |
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| Caroline |
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| Mei-Li |
A big thank you to all of our students for such a fun week at camp!
