As part of their support of younger robotics teams, the Newton LigerBots are hosting a FIRST Lego League (FLL) qualifying tournament at Newton North HS on Saturday, November 21, 9AM-2PM.  The event is free, open to the public, and an exciting family event for spectators.  Come see the robot games and the teams’ presentations of their research projects.  There will also be a mini-Maker’s Faire.

FIRST is an international non­profit youth organization aiming to create a world where science and technology are celebrated and where young people dream of becoming science and technology leaders.  Participation in FLL enhances students’ independence and personal growth while highlighting skills needed for teamwork and leadership.

Each year, on the Friday After Thanksgiving, the MIT Museum hosts a hugely collaborative Chain Reaction in which simple or complex contraptions built by participating teams are joined into one massive Rube-Goldberg-esque chain reaction viewed by over 1500 attendees.  (See videos from 2013 and 2014.)  This year, the 18th annual F.A.T. Chain Reaction will be on November 27, 1-4PM, and will be based on the theme “18th Century.”  The public can view contraptions and talk with teams 1PM-3PM, and the chain reaction will start at 3:30PM.  Buy tickets here.  There’s still time to register a team to participate by building a link in the chain.

Registration is now open for two Saturday-morning sessions of Science on Saturday, on December 12 at MIT’s Lincoln Laboratory (244 Wood Street in Lexington).   The topic will be Robotics, presented by members of Robotics Outreach at Lincoln Laboratory (ROLL).  All children (5-17 years) must be escorted by an adult, and every adult must be escorted by a child or children.  Children under 5 are not admitted.  Admission is free but each person attending must be registered.  Space is limited, so register online soon for either Session 1 (9AM to 10:30AM) or Session 2: 10:45AM to 12:15PM).  Adults must bring government photo identification.  See other rules on the registration pages.

Yesterday about 100 middle- and high-school girls gathered at the Newton Free Library for inspiring, informative conversations with 16 mentors — women scientists and engineers in a variety of STEM fields and careers — in Newton’s first Envision the Future program.  One mentor said of the student attendees, “If the students I met today are the next generation of STEM, I’m confident we’re in very good hands.”  Many thanks to these mentors for their dedication and their ability to connect and inspire.

In between conversations, the attendees viewed a documentary, Big Dream, which tells the stories of seven young women as they face challenges pursuing STEM careers.

This event was sponsored by the John M. Barry Boys & Girls Club, the Newton Free Library, and NewtonSTEM. Thanks to Cabot’s for ice cream, Fresh City for drinks, Crimson Petal for flowers, Microsoft and Iron Way Films for the film, and the LigerBots for volunteer help and inspiring conversation.

Middle- and high-school students are invited to attend a free STEM event on Saturday, November 14, 2PM-4:30PM, in the Newton Free Library’s Druker Auditorium.  Meet and talk with 16 women scientists and engineers. View an inspiring documentary, Big Dream, which tells the stories of seven young women as they face challenges pursuing STEM careers.  Discuss the issues the film raises.  Ask questions.  Get answers and new ideas.

Space is limited and registration is required.  If it’s full, sign onto the wait list and look for an email on Friday.

This Envision the Future event is sponsored by the John M. Barry Boys & Girls Club, the Newton Free Library, and NewtonSTEM. Ice cream provided by the generosity of Cabot’s.  For more information, contact Liz Rowland at 617-796-1380 or teens@newtonfreelibrary.net.