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2009 STARTALK Chinese Immersion Teacher Training and Science Camp

In the summer of 2009 Global Village Academy (GVA) Chinese Science Immersion Camp (CSI) offered students a three week summer non-residential full immersion Mandarin camp focused on thinking and communicating like scientist in the target language. Enrollment was limited to 120 second to fifth grade students who possess Novice to Novice High Mandarin skills. Students used functional language tied to thinking like a scientist and was introduced to hands on inquiry based explorations that reinforce the scientific method.

Each week culminated with a field trip to Denver's Elitch Amusement Park where students applied their newly acquired knowledge of physics and Chinese. Curriculum was developed in partnership with Science Matters, a Colorado science resource center. 2009 focus was Amusement Park Science:

Amusement Park Science:
Ever want to design your own amusement park? Master circuits & motors as you create the rides of your dreams. Harness the forces of gravity to construct a room-sized roller coaster. Twirl, ride, bump and dive your way into this thrill ride of a camp! Experiment and see how things can flash, fizz, stick and glow while building your own fun physics carnival with mini rides and games. Experience techno candy that chemically reacts in your mouth and explodes with flavor. Investigate solar sun glass science and flashing LED polymer squish balls. The fun never ends when you take this carnival home and challenge your friends. After lunch, step out to the wild side of science. Meet "Speedy", a real desert tortoise, as you create your own wild animal park complete with an awesome ocean, a radiant rainforest and a dry desert. This camp is so hot it's cool.