Aliens Have Landed at University of Findlay
University of Findlay’s Mazza Museum welcomed nearly a dozen children in grades 5-8 for their annual STEAM Camp. The five-day forensics camp focuses on the areas of science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM), and this year features an alien theme.
Students start each morning with a debriefing about alien encounters or what animals scientists say might be alien life forms. On Monday they visited the University’s Newhard Planetarium, where they learned about space and how little humans have actually explored—only making it as far as Mars, and only with a rover.
After leaving the planetarium, students suited up in HAZMAT gear as they learned more about the environment, health, safety, and sustainability (EHS) program. Students put on two suits, three pairs of gloves, shoe covers, and boots before beginning their search for an alien intruder. Boys and girls used their black lights to look for clues, crawled through tunnels, and stumbled upon some liquid left behind by the aliens which they took samples of for testing. Students wore official safety gear (excluding oxygen masks), just as they would if they were truly exploring an unknown extraterrestrial discovery. “It gives the kids the chance to suit up and feel what these people do on a daily basis to keep our environment protected,” said Heather Sensel, education manager for Mazza Museum and the Joseph & Judith Conda STEAM Education Center.
The focus of the camp is to get kids to utilize their critical thinking skills in an environment that also promotes hands-on learning. Students have experienced an alien autopsy in a lab with an alien cadaver, collected moonstones, and recovered alien DNA. Students also ventured across campus where they found crop circles, took measurements, tested the soil, and learned about runoff and PH levels. “Studies show that girls seem to lose interest in STEAM fields around the age of 15 and boys stats in the STEAM fields are on the decline,” said Sensel. “If we can keep them interested, energetic, and enthused by adding a creative twist and integrating those fields with a STEAM atmosphere, that is going to be the most beneficial. STEAM learning is our goal…real-world topics and issues with a twist” said Sensel.
Students will spend the week exploring aliens and learning about animals that some scientists believe may be alien themselves (octopus, ants, etc.). Students will dissect octopi, learn about the intelligence and exoskeleton of ants, and develop their own opinions on aliens. At the end of the week, each student will take a stance and present in front of their classmates, parents, and University team members. “They will tell us what they think about the existence of extraterrestrials. Do aliens exist? Is it even possible? Could one of the animals on Earth be an alien life form?” said Sensel.
To learn more about the University of Findlay, including future camps, visit www.findlay.edu. For more information about Mazza Museum, including this summer’s Mazza Art Camp and Summer Conference, visit the museum’s website.
To see pictures from the camp, please visit Mazza’s Flickr page.
Post Views: 142
Latest Newsroom
- University of Findlay Partners with Slingshot to Launch Enhanced Campus Store ExperienceThe University of Findlay is excited to join forces with Slingshot, as its new campus store provider. Beginning in August 2025, Slingshot will provide a refreshed campus store experience with several new lines of University of Findlay branded merchandise and […] The post University of Findlay Partners with Slingshot to Launch Enhanced Campus Store Experience appeared first on Findlay Newsroom.
- UF Commencement Ceremonies Scheduled for May 10The University of Findlay will host Commencement ceremonies for 2025 graduates on Saturday, May 10 in the Koehler Fitness and Recreation Complex. The Class of 2025 is comprised of 861 students, ranging from the age of 18 to 56, and has completed […] The post UF Commencement Ceremonies Scheduled for May 10 appeared first on Findlay Newsroom.
- University of Findlay Launches Oiler Early Advantage Program for Incoming FreshmenThe University of Findlay announces the launch of the Oiler Early Advantage program, a new initiative for incoming freshmen starting in the Fall 2025 semester. The Oiler Early Advantage program provides an exceptional opportunity for first-time freshmen to begin their […] The post University of Findlay Launches Oiler Early Advantage Program for Incoming Freshmen appeared first on Findlay Newsroom.
- Creator of PBS children’s show ‘Arthur’ to speak at UF May 10The University of Findlay’s Mazza Museum invites area residents on Saturday, May 10 to an evening of storytelling, art, and fun with Emmy Award-winning illustrator and author Marc Brown. The creator of the beloved “Arthur” books and PBS children’s series […] The post Creator of PBS children’s show ‘Arthur’ to speak at UF May 10 appeared first on Findlay Newsroom.
- Indy 500 winner Sam Hornish Jr. to speak May 2 at ‘Fridays at Findlay’The fast lane of professional auto racing will take the driver’s seat for the May 2 “Fridays at Findlay” presentation at the University of Findlay. Sam Hornish Jr., Indy 500 winner and NASCAR driver, will speak on “Life Lessons from […] The post Indy 500 winner Sam Hornish Jr. to speak May 2 at ‘Fridays at Findlay’ appeared first on Findlay Newsroom.
- Generous UF alumni and friends set new records on Day of Giving 2025University of Findlay alumni, friends, faculty, staff, students, and the local community came together on Day of Giving 2025 to support “the full Findlay experience” for a new generation of Oilers – and they also set several new records in […] The post Generous UF alumni and friends set new records on Day of Giving 2025 appeared first on Findlay Newsroom.