All posts by newtonstem

Fig City News: Online community news hub for Newton

Recommendations

Using the same web/email setup that NewtonSTEM uses, I am working with a team of volunteers to publish Fig City News — an online news hub aiming to fill gaps in the coverage of local news and community announcements in Newton. We started in July and offer two free newsletters each week:

  • Mondays:  Fig City Local Government Meetings & Reports has details of the workings of our local government — meeting links and agendas, etc.
  • Wednesdays:  Fig City News contains local news articles and community announcements.

All the content is available on FigCityNews.com, and you can stay updated by subscribing here to either or both newsletters.

— Bruce Henderson, NewtonSTEM

Massachusetts STEM Week, Oct. 17-21

Opportunities

It’s Massachusetts STEM Week, October 17-21, with the theme “See Yourself in STEM” and a focus on the power of mentoring.

  • Explore the STEM Week Design Challenges posed by Buck Institute for Education, kids in tech, Wade Institute, WPI STEM Education Center, Boston’s Museum of Science, i2 Learning, and New England FIRST.
  • The Massachusetts STEM Council is partnering with the Mass Mentoring Partnership to build capacity and engagement in mentoring across the state during STEM Week and beyond. Sign up to be a mentor here.

Grades 5-12: Registration opens Oct. 17 for Clark University’s Fall Splash, Nov. 13

Events, Opportunities

Clark University’s Fall Splash — a one-day, free program offering courses for students in Grades 5-12 — will be held November 13, 10AM-5PM, online this year. Registration opens on October 17, and students should register as soon as possible because classes fill up.  The day is free.  For more information, email clarkuesp@gmail.com. STEM-related courses in this year’s catalog include:

  • Urban Ecology
  • First Aid Basics
  • Egg Drop

MIT & N.E. Aquarium Lecture: The Ocean’s Natural Way to Stop Climate Change, Oct. 20

Events

MIT’s Department of Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences and New England Aquarium will co-host a hybrid event, The Ocean’s Natural Way to Stop Climate Change, on October 20, 6:30PM-7:30PM, at the Aquarium’s Simons Theatre (1 Central Wharf, Boston) and online. This event is free and open to the public. Doors open at 5:30PM with exhibits from MIT students and climate scientists in the theatre lobby. Register here for in-person or online attendance.

N.E. Sci-Tech Introduction to Model Rocketry and Demo Launch, Oct. 21

Events, Opportunities

The New England Sci-Tech (NEST) STEM education center , in conjunction with JP Rocketeers and Sci-Tech Rocketeers, will host an Introduction to Model Rocketry and Demo Launch on October 21, 3:30-5:30PM, at 341 School Street in Acton. It’s for those who have had little or no exposure to model rocketry, or those who have some experience but seek guidance and information about how to progress as a model rocketeer. Weather permitting, they will launch rockets in a variety of sizes and designs. They will discuss design, materials for construction, preparations for launch, and safety. Email David at muse3@comcast.net to RSVP or to get more information.

Events for National Chemistry Week, Oct. 16-22

Events

Local museums are recognizing National Chemistry Week with “Fabulous Fibers: The Chemistry of Fabrics” hands-on activities at these times and locations. Museum admission is required:

  • Saturday, October 15: Boston Children’s Museum offers two sessions: 9AM-Noon and 1:30PM-4:30PM.
  • Sunday, October 16: Discovery Museum in Acton offers one session: Noon-3PM
  • Thursday, October 20: Museum of Science, Boston offers one session: 1PM-4PM.

STEM Week at McAuliffe Center: Free Open House, Oct. 14

Events

To kick off Massachusetts STEM Week, the Christa McAuliffe Center at Framingham State University is inviting the public to a free Open House on October 14, 6PM-8PM with exhibitors, stargazing, hands-on activities, and planetarium shows at 6PM, 6:45PM, and 7:30PM. Celebrate the start of the project that will transform the McAuliffe Center into a modern hub for integrated STEM learning, networking, and community action. (Directions)

HMSC celebrates International Archeology Day, Oct. 15

Events

Harvard Museums of Science and Culture will celebrate International Archeology Day on October 15, 11AM-3PM at the Peabody Museum of Archaeology & Ethnology (11 Divinity Avenue, Cambridge). Learn about archeology from graduate students:

  • 11AM-1PM: Jack Bishop will examine ancient stone tools for a glimpse into the early domestication of animals and the rise of agriculture in the Middle East.
  • 1PM-3PM: Mack FitzPatrick will explain how the ancient Inka of Peru (c. 1400–1532 CE) wrote with string and will show a working replica of a khipu knotted string record-keeping system.

This event is included with regular admission to the museum.

McAuliffe Center: Exclusive, free screening of Good Night Oppy, Oct. 27

Events

The Christa McAuliffe Center at Framingham State University, with Club for the Future and Prime Video, is hosting a free screening of Good Night Oppy on October 27 at AMC Framingham (22 Flutie Pass, Framingham). Doors open at 6PM and film is 7PM-9PM. It’s an inspiring, true story of Opportunity, the rover that was sent to Mars for a 90-day mission but ended up surviving for 15 years. Recommended for ages 14+. Tickets are free. Registration is required (with the code at that link) and confirmed on first-come/first-served basis.