The topic was the annual summer science camp Robinson coordinates at Lee University. Robinson was recently selected as the Bradley County Schools System-level Teacher of the Year for grades 5 through 8.
Robinson has also been selected as a finalist for the Tennessee Teacher of the Year Award. “We’re in our fifth year now with the camp and we continue to grow more and more every year,” said Robinson. Children enjoy a variety of science-related activities including meteorology, space, rocket launching and dissection projects at the camp. Physicians, optometrists and other science-related local professionals also volunteer to work with children during the camp. “It’s very exciting. It gives kids the opportunity in the summer not only to learn great things but to just have fun too,” he said.
The science camp consists of three week-long camps: Camp Discovery is for students in grades 2 to 3, June 7 through 11; Camp Explore is grades 4 to 5, June 14 - 18; and, Camp Excel is grades 6 to 8, June 21 to 25. Camp days are 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. In addition to gearing up for the annual summer science camp, Robinson said he is also preparing for a summer trip to Cambodia where he will teach a science program to children and attend leadership training. “I started working with the World Harvest Outreach Ministry (WHOM) organization, a missions organization, about four years ago. At that time I was invited to go to Africa and serve the kids with backpacks and school supplies. The neat thing about it is I had the opportunity to present the Gospel,” he said. With WHOM, Robinson has also traveled to Nicoraugua, Indonesia, Argentina, Ecuador and Seoul, Korea. Robinson will leave for Cambodia a week after the summer camp program. He will travel to the “boat village” Tonlé Sap. Tonlé Sap translates to “large body of water.” “It’s unbelievable. People live on the water, like a boat village. They raise their livestock on it and everything,” he said. Robinson has started various fundraiser activities to raise money to purchase a water cleaning system for the Cambodian village Tonlé Sap.
“It’s really unfortunate. These people are relying on this water to drink, bathe, bathe their livestock, etc. It’s filthy water. “I’m very excited at the opportunity. WHOM is a great organization. I’m just grateful to be a part of it. I came from very humble beginnings. My parents were very hard workers and they always instilled in me a desire to excel. It’s really great what God is doing,” he said. For more information about the space camp or to sponsor the water-cleaning project for Robinson’s Cambodia trip, contact Robinson at jrobinso@bradleyschools.org.
