(Photo provided)

The fifth grade students at Eisenhower attended their annual three-day camping trip at YMCA Camp Tecumseh in Brookston.

Eisenhower Principal Chris Gensinger, six Eisenhower teachers and two student teachers led the hands-on learning experience.

The “Earthship Journey” curriculum focused on seven areas of science — cycles, sunlight energy, communities, relationships, changes, differences and gifts. Activities included instruction in the water cycle, evaporation, stream flow, soil investigation and animals/vegetation that are common to the forest.

Students also enjoyed canoeing, archery, the obstacle course, the “Black Hole” and campfire “science roleplaying”. This was the 15th year that Eisenhower fifth grade students have attended Camp Tecumseh.

“The STEM (Science Technology, Engineering and Math) outdoor education program provided our students with inquiry-based learning experiences enhanced with real world applications of how our plant and animal communities depend upon one another,” said Gensinger.

He went on to say, “I want to send a huge thank you” to our teaching staff that attended camp: Chris Doberstein, Dennis Allison, Henry Zehr, Sure Mock, Pam Jarecki-Vosler and Kathy Gruenewald.”