Northeastern University’s Building Bridges program, for high-school students interested in engineering, will take place April 7, 8:30AM-2PM. It’s an opportunity to explore Northeastern’s engineering program, participate in engineering challenges, and learn about education and career opportunities. There will be parallel opportunities for parents and families to explore the campus and Boston. Registration is now open, costs $15 (financial support is available), and includes breakfast and lunch.
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March for Science on Boston Common: Saturday, Apr. 22
In parallel with the March for Science in Washington, the March for Science Boston will be held on the Boston Common on Saturday, April 22, 2-4PM. There will be entertainment for kids from 1PM to 2PM, followed by science activities in a separate area for families during the march. Official T-shirts are available for sale — this week and maybe next week only! — to raise funds for event logistics. Speakers and specifics are being worked out, so register to get updates and follow on Facebook. You can sign up here to volunteer. Companies and organizations that are interested in sponsoring the event should email organizers@marchforscienceboston.com.
Sign Up to Exhibit at Newton Free Library STEAM Expo, July 15
The Newton Free Library seeks additional exhibitors for its fourth annual STEAM Expo, on July 15, Noon-3PM. (Exhibitors should arrive 9:30-11AM.) At the STEAM Expo, attendees experience the work of scientists and engineers through opportunities to explore, experiment, design and invent. Exhibitors should target hands-on activities and demonstrations that would appeal to all ages. Here’s who exhibited last year. For consideration this year, apply online by May 28.
Kids4Coding Summer Programs for Ages 7-15
Kids 4 Coding, based in Atlanta, is expanding its summer offerings in the Boston area in Brookline (Newberry College) and Cambridge (Sherrill Library). Courses for ages 7-15 span Minecraft, Robotics, Programming, Game Design, Engineering, and Architecture.
MECSP Computer Science Orientation for School Personnel, Apr. 1
On Saturday, April 1 (9:30AM-1PM), the Massachusetts Exploring Computer Science Partnership will hold a free information session for school superintendents, principals, and teachers about the Exploring Computer Science program. ECS is a year-long course of six six-week units to make computer science accessible and socially relevant for a diverse range of high-school students. The information session will be held at the Education Development Center in Waltham. It’s free and includes lunch. Registration is required.
Global STEM Education Symposium: Policy, Research & Practice, May 12
Global STEM Education Center will host its 4th annual symposium — Global STEM Education: Policy, Research & Practice — with Harvard’s Graduate School of Education on May 12, 7:30AM-1PM at the GSE’s Larsen Hall auditorium in Cambridge. Tickets are $85 until May 1, then $95.
LigerBots Win “Gracious Professionalism” Award at FIRST District Qualifier
The Newton LigerBots competed this week in the FIRST District Qualifying Event at Worcester Polytechnic Institute, where they won the Gracious Professionalism Award for outstanding sportsmanship and continuous gracious professionalism, in the heat of competition, both on and off the field of play. Johnson & Johnson sponsors this award at each FIRST event to recognize the team best exemplifying the principles of FIRST – fairness, humility, sharing, and persevering – and a winning attitude. The judges at WPI noted that “Gracious Professionalism can be used in any aspect of life, not just at a FIRST competition.” Citing the op-ed column the LigerBots wrote last year on good sportsmanship and respect, the judges said, “This team is what FIRST is all about. No matter if they are on the playing field, or out in the community, ‘working together’ is the theme of this team.”
This was the LigerBots’ first competition of the 2017 season, and these early competitions provide an opportunity to test the robot ways that are simply impossible during the short schedule for designing and building. On Day One of this competition, the team identified design flaws, then worked overnight to pinpoint and correct those flaws. That resulted in the LigerBots’ first competitive climb up a Velcro rope for bonus points in the Steamworks game.
The LigerBots returned to Newton with a list of items that need work before they compete at Bryant University in Rhode Island March 25 and 26. All are welcome to come watch and cheer!
Pi Day — Celebrate Locally on Mar. 14
Boston’s Museum of Science will celebrate Pi Day with a day of scientific experiments and demonstrations — including the conclusion to this suspenseful video teaser.
AweSTEM! Educator Celebration at WPI, Mar. 30
The STEM Education Center at Worcester Polytechnic Institute will host AweSTEM!, its STEM Educator Conference for K-12 educators, on March 30, 3:30-5PM at Alden Memorial Hall on the WPI campus (100 Institute Road in Worcester). Register by March 14. For more information, contact Katie Elmes at 508-831-5703 or kaelmes@wpi.edu.
MIT Edgerton’s ‘Science on Saturday’ for Grades K-12, Apr. 1: How the Internet Works
MIT’s Edgerton Center holds free Science on Saturday programs approximately monthly during the school year for elementary, middle, and high school students — as well as their parents and teachers. Each is a fun, one-hour, interactive presentation beginning at 10AM in MIT’s Kresge Auditorium, 48 Massachusetts Ave. in Cambridge. Kids under 12 must be accompanied by an adult. No pre-registration is necessary but seating is limited and first-come, first-seated. The next program will be April 1: How the Internet Works.