The week began with planting of vegetables and learning about how a sponge drinks in water the same way our brains drink in information. We must remember to wring the sponge out to get rid of excess and hang onto that which will help us grow. This was a reminder to find quiet time in each day to let go of that which does not serve us or others.

What would it be like to embrace the excitement of science in the majesty of the breathtaking hills at the Wakefield campus?

The outdoor classroom taught the children about observation and appreciation for the creatures that are around us. The trees gave us an opportunity to learn about the canopy, the need for light for health and longevity of the tree. The pond gave us an experience to do water quality studies and to explore the vegetation that survives in this ecosystem. Then there was the enjoyment of community in this beautiful setting. Eating lunch and sharing life together was a special treat.

The students learned about the building blocks of nature-earth, water, fire, air and space and the interconnections of all of life. This invited a time to get to know fellow "scientists" in the making. Some students came with no appreciation for the sciences.

After two short weeks their appreciation was transformed.

They learned about the need for collaborative work and respecting one another's opinions. They understand the need for repetition, consistency, commitment and investigation. They experienced the excitement of biology, chemistry and the need for community. They know that their creative imagination and curiosity are incredible facets in discovery. They know that each one of them is unique and will bring their own gifts and talents to share with this world. They know they are precious and loved.

They experienced the wonder of confidence while given the opportunity to speak in front of others. They could find their passion and let it grow and expand.

They experienced growth, trust and respect amongst themselves. They learned that failure is an opportunity to embrace a situation with a new approach.

What was science like during your school days? Was it so enjoyable that you could act many things out in your body to teach others about what you had learned? What about the concepts of empathy, identity, self regulation, feeling part of the world around us, observation, inference, communication, forces of pushing-pulling-gravity-traction-friction-air resistance-inertia? What if the importance of safety belts and head gear was explained during this process? What about project management, concept development, collaboration, appreciation, gratitude, love, measurement, acceptance, music, vibration, frequency, water cycles, moon phases, Newton's laws? What causes surface tension, how molecules work, the function and structure of insects, 3d printing and the opportunity to watch this in action? How about dichotomous keys and how to work with them, the Fibonacci number system and the opportunity to have a florist come and teach flower arranging so that you could use the Fibonacci system while arranging? Do you know what the Fibonacci system is? Do you know what a Gibbous moon is? It was a joy to have the students come to class and explain, with excitement, that they were able to teach their parents something? Do you know how important it is for children to fall in love with learning at an early age?

The students learned about the ultimate need for water and how people around the world work with water sources. They learned about cultures around the world and different time zones, rhythms and alignment. They experienced the joy and need for daily relaxation and meditation. The final day was a program that showed what they had learned. The confidence of their knowledge was expressed through music, sign language, body movement, explaining projects they had made with recycled goods, how they could survive in nature with recycled goods-the important words being cutting-cordage-containment and combustion. They shared the excitement of their favorite experiments. They got together as a group and flourished while showing their homemade lava lamps. The finale was a gift of floral arrangements that they could give to their loved ones.

Christine Krieger was the instructor and she reached out into the community to invite guests to come and share their gifts with the students. With great gratitude we thank Mary Shapiro with Still Waters Studio-Marshall Va. (singing, sign language and the importance of music and vibration), Michael Heufelder-Middleburg, Va. (wood burning and survival skills with recycling), Ty from The Corner Garden, Middleburg, Va. (his wonderful patience, teaching and providing materials for floral arrangements) and Deb Chase (3d printing).

Where would we be without the incredible members of our community? iSchool's hands-on activities included a mixture of science, technology, engineering, math, arts, (STEAM SELTM The program combines hands-on, place-based, and fun science activities with Social and Emotional Life Skills (SEL). These life skills include methods to actively improve children's abilities to effectively work in teams, regulate their emotions, and build healthy relationships. A growing body of research indicates that building SEL skills improves academic performance and overall wellbeing of children.

The next camp will be Innovation Lab. July 28-Aug 8, 2014 at Wakefield. Explore, experiment, question, plan, design and build structures, gadgets, and solutions. Solve design challenges as you plan and create your own invention that can make life easier and improve your world. The students will learn about drones, 3d printing, google glasses, rockets and much more.

Register online: www.ischoolforthefuture.org or call 703-261-4758.