As reported by WBUR, last week the Massachusetts Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (ESE) adopted a voluntary curriculum framework for computer science. The Massachusetts Computing Attainment Network (MassCAN)to is collaborating with ESE to help districts implement the standards and the Education Development Center (EDC) is developing elementary school curriculum units to integrate computational thinking into math and science lessons.
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BostonTechMom: Tech Events for Kids in July
The ever-helpful BostonTechMom once again provides a comprehensive list of technology-oriented events for kids in the Boston area for the upcoming month. This issue again includes a list of Girls Who Code clubs in the greater Boston area.
Acera Summer STEAM Program in Winchester: Variety of One-Week Sessions, Ages 7-14
The Acera Summer STEAM Camp is run by the Acera School — a non-profit STEAM school for Grades K-8 in Winchester. The Summer STEAM Camp runs June 13 to August 27, 9AM-4PM, with extended time 8-9AM and 4-6PM. You can sign up for individual weeks, in morning and/or afternoon sessions, including STEAM design sessions such as Scratch Projections, 3D Printing, Digital Origami, Electronic Storytelling, Solar-Powered Jewelry, and Interactive Art. See full schedule and registration details. The camp program is open to Acera students as well as other children ages 7-14 who have never applied to the school.
Register Now for One-Week Summer STEM Program in Weymouth for Middle-School Girls, July 18-22
The South Shore branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW), in partnership with the Weymouth Public Schools, will host Envision the Future, a one-week summer STEM program for girls entering Grades 6-9. It’s a commuter (non-residential) program and will be held at Weymouth High School, July 18-22, 8:30AM-4:30PM. The cost is $250 per student. It’s a Weymouth Public Schools event that is also open to Newton and other communities. Space is limited to 24 students and will be filled on a first-come/first-served basis. Register online now and then mail a check and registration form according to instructions on the registration page. (The June 20 registration deadline noted on the form has been extended to June 27.) For more information, contact Lynn Howard at 781-901-9120 or lynn.howard@weymouthschools.org.
Topics and activities will include: Anatomy & Physiology, Computer Science & Robotics, Field Trip to Quincy College (Biotechnology, Computer Science & Engineering Departments), Food Science & Nutrition, Underwater ROVs, Meet & Greet Lunch with Women in STEM Professions, a and STEM Resource Fair.
Arduino Robot Workshop at You-Do-It Electronics, June 29
Kevin Osborn will teach an Arduino Robot workshop at You-Do-It Electronics on June 29, 6-8PM. The cost of $99 includes the robot that you will build and get to take home. Register by emailing events@youdoitelectronics.com with “Arduino Robot Workshop” in the subject, with your phone number and number of attendees. You’ll get a call within two days so you can make your payment and receive your confirmation. Kevin’s workshops receive great reviews from attendees at You-Do-It, local libraries, and other venues.
LigerBots Finish First — and Second — in Beantown Blitz
Yesterday, the LigerBots entered two robots — their competition robot and their backup robot — in the Beantown Blitz, a greater-Boston, post-season competition hosted annually by the Northeastern University Nutrons. This year it was held at Revere High School. Both Ligerbots robots ended up in competing alliances, adding an extra dimension to FIRST’s core value of coopertition as LigerBots competed against LigerBots. Both alliances made easy work of the competition through the Quarter Final and Semi-Final rounds, and ended up facing off against each other in the Final round. The alliance containing the LigerBots backup robot beat the LigerBots primary robot in the Finals, due to a mechanical problem with the primary robot, and the LigerBots ended up taking first and second places in the competition. And for the record, the LigerBots won the Sweet Caroline award.
The team continues its extensive efforts in community service by participating in today’s Tour de Newton and hosting an introduction to FIRST Lego League — open to all parents, potential coaches and students — this Wednesday, June 22, at Newton North HS.
Tufts CEEO: Girls Design & Engineering Workshop Open to Grade 3
Tuft’s Center for Engineering Education and Outreach (CEEO) has extended the age range for its Girls Design and Engineering Workshop, originally for Grades 4-7, to include girls entering Grade 3. It will be held July 18-22 for girls to explore electronics, human factors, 3D printing, programming, robotics, and user-centered design. Openings remain for some of CEEO’s other summer programs for Grades 1-2 and Grades 3-8.
Newton Free Library: STEAM Expo, July 16
The Newton Free Library will host its third annual STEAM Expo on Saturday, July 16, 1-4PM. It’s an interactive gathering of tech enthusiasts, traditional crafters, artists, musicians, educators, tinkerers, hobbyists, engineers, and students. There will be 17 exhibitors in the auditorium, gallery, and outside plaza.
LigerBots Present an Introduction to FIRST Lego League, June 22
The Newton LigerBots will host an introductory meeting about FIRST Lego League (FLL) on Wednesday, June 22, 7-9PM at Newton North High School’s Film Lecture Hall (inside the main entrance at Tiger Drive — 457 Walnut Street). FLL enables teams of students in Grades 4-8 to compete in building and programning LEGO robots, as well as in researching and presenting creative solutions to real-life problems associated with the theme of the annual FLL challenge. Next year’s theme will be Animal Allies, with details released for all teams on August 30. The June 22 event is primarily for parents — and potential coaches! — but students are welcome. Current LigerBots students and coaches will lead a presentation about FLL and how to start your own team. There will be demonstrations of EV3 robots and an open discussion of questions you may have. The LigerBots conduct these sessions and maintain their FLL information page as a community service — and to develop students’ interest in joining the LigerBots after FLL. Email fll@ligerbots.com for more information.
Jane Street ‘Women in STEM’ NYC Recruiting Event, July 31-Aug. 2
Jane Street Capital — a quantitative trading firm — will host its fourth annual Women in STEM event July 31-August 2, inviting selected women between senior year of high-school and freshman year of college to learn about the firm and how it uses math, computer science, and probability in its business. Travel, hotel, and meals will be paid by the company. Apply by July 1 by emailing to womeninstem@janestreet.com your resume and statement (up to 250 words) about yourself and why you’d like to attend. Use the same email address if you have questions.