The 2025 Sciventurers Camp officially kicked off at the Sakura – Olympia School System, offering an exciting summer of exploration that blends science, English, and 21st-century skills for primary and lower secondary students. More than just a summer camp, it is a place where children become true scientific explorers—learning with their hands, feeling with their hearts, and creating with their imaginations. With a theme-based model that integrates classroom learning, projects, and field trips, Sciventurers Camp delivers a summer full of excitement and educational value.

The first leg of this scientific journey was "Life Unlocked"—a camp that welcomed students into the vibrant world of Life Sciences. Over the course of three consecutive weeks, young learners dove into three fascinating themes: Food Science – discovering the science behind everyday food; Nature Science – nurturing a love for nature through art and endangered species conservation; and Farming Science – stepping into the shoes of young farmers, blending interdisciplinary knowledge with hands-on academic projects. Each day at camp brought new lessons, joyful discoveries, and fresh inspiration for exploring the larger world around them.

The first journey of Sciventurers Camp 2025 is called Life Unlocked, bringing campers to explore natural science in a close and interesting way.

Food Science Journey: Decoding Taste through the Lens of Science

Kicking off the “Life Unlocked” summer adventure, Food Science Journey invited young Sciventurers to begin their scientific exploration right in the heart of the home: the kitchen. With the message “Science isn’t confined to labs—it lives in every breath of life,” students embarked on a fascinating week-long journey into taste, probiotics, culinary arts, and practical scientific thinking.

Inside the classroom, students engaged in two standout projects: “Decoding Taste” and “The Fermentation Lab.” Small spoons, colorful drinks, and pH test strips became their tools for investigating how the human body senses flavor. Through hands-on experiments, they learned to distinguish between sweet, sour, salty, and bitter, while uncovering the acidic properties of everyday beverages. The process helped learners better understand how our taste receptors work—and how to identify safe, healthy foods using scientific methods.

In “The Fermentation Lab,” students explored the role of probiotics, observed fermentation in action, and made meaningful connections between science, wellness, and daily life.

A student experiment testing the pH level of different drinks and exploring how taste works.

Building on these foundational insights, students headed into the “Sweet Delights” workshop, where science met creativity. Guided by teachers and program partners, they crafted baked goods, mixed fruit drinks, and designed delightful tea party tables. Every item was not just food—it was a showcase of scientific understanding, visual design, and teamwork. The highlight? Presenting their creations confidently in English, as they explained their flavor combinations and design concepts—leaving a lasting impression on the judges with both creativity and communication.

Sweet Delights Workshop is an opportunity for campers to apply their food science knowledge to create a delicious afternoon tea party

The week concluded with a field trip to An Phu Farm, where nature itself transformed into an open-air laboratory. There, students teamed up to make bánh thuẫn, roll fresh rice sheets, handicraft mì Quảng noodles, and prepare broth from scratch. Each task revealed scientific principles in action: heat reactions, fermentation, ingredient transformation. It was a vivid demonstration of science stepping out of the textbook and into real life.

An Phu Farm field trip brings the kids to a lively outdoor laboratory

Groups divide up to prepare ingredients for lunch

More than a week of learning, Food Science Journey nurtured a deep appreciation for food, nature, and labor. It marked a sweet and meaningful beginning to “Life Unlocked”—a summer where science touched the senses and sparked a genuine love for learning in every young camper.

Nature Science Quest: When Nature Becomes the Greatest Teacher

After a flavorful first week exploring taste and culinary science, Sciventurers entered the second chapter of their “Life Unlocked” summer journey with Nature Science Quest—a week where nature wasn’t just the setting for learning, but the teacher itself.

In class, students delved into real-world topics tied to environmental science: protecting urban “green lungs,” understanding renewable energy, recycling organic waste, exploring underground ecosystems, and nurturing new life through “green sprouting” activities. What might seem like abstract scientific concepts were made accessible through hands-on experiments, visual models, and lively discussions conducted in English—allowing young learners to absorb knowledge naturally and joyfully.

Students crafted handmade watering cans and nurtured plants in the classroom.

The highlight of the week was the “Green Warriors” workshop, where students became conservationists, telling the stories of endangered species through a heartfelt mini-exhibition titled “Protect Them, Please!”. These young “green warriors” shared research on animals at risk of extinction and delivered powerful messages urging everyone to protect nature. With sincerity and childlike clarity, they reminded us: “Please don’t turn your back on nature.”

During the workshop, students heard the cautionary tale of the extinct dodo bird—an unforgettable lesson on how quickly human actions can devastate the natural world.

The “Protect Them, Please!” exhibition was a powerful call to action by Sciventurers to help save endangered species.

The week concluded with a soulful field trip to Tien Sa Beach, where the project “The Ocean Tells a Story” allowed the sea to become both canvas and muse. Shells, stones, waves, and wind inspired expressive artwork, transforming the beach into a space for storytelling through observation and imagination.

Every gust of wind, shell, twig, and wave at Tien Sa Beach became a storyteller—fueling emotional artwork about life beneath the sea.

In the afternoon, creativity flowed into the “Nature’s Palette: Exploring the Art of Trees” session. From kinetic tree models and handmade fans decorated with leaves, to vibrant sand art, students merged science, nature, and artistry to co-create a world of color and meaning.

Students collaborated to bring nature, science, and art together through activities in “Nature’s Palette: Exploring the Art of Trees.”

From indoor experiments to real-world exploration, Nature Science Quest delivered a week of powerful experiences. Students didn’t just learn to observe like scientists—they slowed down, connected with the rhythms of the natural world, and listened with their hearts.

Farming Science Expedition: Learning to Farm, Understanding Life

The final week of “Life Unlocked” brought Sciventurers back to the roots—literally. With the theme Farming Science Expedition, students explored the simple yet profound rhythms of life through nature, agriculture, and real-world science.

In class, students investigated how humans interact with natural systems through activities like artificial rain experiments, ecosystem studies, the role of insects in agriculture, and observations of hydroponic gardens. Each session served as a puzzle piece in understanding that to nourish the Earth, we must first learn to respect its laws.

What better place to explore agricultural science than the lush green surroundings of The Farmers Farm?

The week’s emotional highlight was the field trip to The Farmers Farm. Immersed in a green, peaceful environment, students got their hands dirty: sowing seeds, watering plants, and caring for animals. These seemingly simple tasks became powerful lessons about responsibility, effort, and the sustainable bond between humans and nature.

Every moment of sowing, watering, and caring for animals became a vital piece of the agricultural science puzzle—connecting textbook knowledge about light, water, soil, and biology to real-life ecosystems and human livelihood.

For middle school students, the week also marked a leap toward independence through the Food Stall project—an interdisciplinary business simulation combining English, science, and entrepreneurial skills. Each stall became a mini-lab where “food innovators” developed product ideas, designed eco-friendly packaging, calculated costs, and confidently pitched their offerings in English. While the products were simple—juice cups and sandwiches—the learning was rich, rooted in collaboration, problem-solving, and creativity.

The Food Stall pop-up market was a buzzing summer pit stop, drawing in many curious “customers” to enjoy the Sciventurers’ handcrafted treats.

The grand finale of “Life Unlocked” was an unforgettable overnight camping trip at Nam Yen Vineyard. As the campfire blazed and stars sparkled overhead, laughter and heartfelt stories filled the night air. This wasn’t just the end of a summer camp—it was a chapter of growth, friendship, and wonder for a generation of curious young minds learning to live in harmony with science and nature.

The glowing campfire under the starry skies of Nam Yen Vineyard brought the “Life Unlocked” journey to a warm and meaningful close.

Not only did students thrive in their scientific explorations, Life Unlocked was also a time to boost physical well-being and team spirit through energizing activities like swimming and introductory pickleball sessions.

Pickleball 101 quickly became a favorite among campers

With journals full of discoveries in nature science, food science, and agriculture, Summer Camp 1: Life Unlocked has officially come to a close. But the adventure doesn’t stop here. In the next chapter, Sciventurers Camp will launch into the modern frontier of technology and innovation with “TechStorm”—a place where imagination soars and creativity takes flight.