All posts by newtonstem

MIT Edgerton’s ‘Science on Saturday’ for Grades K-12, Oct. 17: Pluto and Beyond

Events

MIT’s Edgerton Center holds free Science on Saturday programs five times a year for elementary, middle, and high school students — as well as their parents and teachers.  On October 17, the program will be focused on Planets:  Pluto and Beyond.  Kids under 12 must be accompanied by an adult.  The program includes a one-hour presentation at 10AM followed by hands-on activities at 11AM.  No pre-registration is necessary but seating is limited and first-come, first-seated.  It’s held in MIT’s Kresge Auditorium, 48 Massachusetts Ave. in Cambridge.

Grades 10-12 Register Now for UMass Amherst Science Quest, Oct. 24

Events, Opportunities

Each April and October, UMass Amherst and its Center for Hierarchical Manufacturing hosts Science Quest for students in Grades 10-12.  In this free, one-day event, students select from a schedule of mini-classes, lab tours, and demonstrations by UMass faculty.  Undergraduates and Admissions representatives will be available for presentations and discussions about the UMass experience and the admissions process.  Lunch is included.  Students may attend on their own, with parent(s), or with a teacher on a class field trip. The next Science Quest will be October 24, 9:30AM-3:40PM in the UMass Amherst Integrated Science Building (661 North Pleasant St., Amherst; directions; map).  Arrive by 9AM to check in.  Registration is requested.

Science Club for Girls: Catalyst Awards Night, Oct. 29

Events

Sign up now for Science Club for Girls‘ 8th annual Catalyst Awards celebration on Thursday, October 29, 6PM-8PM, at Genzyme Center in Kendall Square, Cambridge.  It’s a fundraiser and a networking event, but foremost a spectacular recognition of outstanding leadership in fostering excitement, self-confidence, and science literacy in girls, particularly from minority and low-income communities.  Enjoy cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, a project showcase, award presentations, and stories of real impact.  If you cannot attend, you can donate online to help make SCFG make a difference.  Recent results include:

  • Six new Science Clubs for Grades K-5
  • A new STEMinistas Club site in Lawrence
  • Expanded teen leadership development to 90 Junior Mentors
  • A new high-school challenge team and a doubling of STEM research internships

jrCode Academy’s Classes Starting in Wellesley and Brookline

Opportunities

jrCode Academy has just started a range of classes in Wellesley (90 Washington Street), in partnership with the Wellesley Recreation Department:

  • Early Coders (Grades K-1):  Wednesdays (Lab on Mondays)
  • Scratch Intro (Grades 2-3):  Mondays, Fridays, or Saturdays (Lab on Mondays)
  • Scratch Intermediate (Grades 4-5):  Tuesdays or Thursdays (Lab on Tuesdays or Wednesdays)
  • JavaScript Intro (Grades 6-8):  Mondays or Wednesdays (Lab on Thursdays)

And jrCode Academy will start a class in Brookline (40 Aspinwall Ave.) in October:

  • JavaScript Intro (Grades 6-8):  Mondays

For more information, email Ruth Keyes.

LigerBots Facilitate Formation of FIRST Lego League Teams

Opportunities

Over 80 parents signed up for more information at the information session that the LigerBots hosted last June for parents interested in FIRST Lego League.  Over the summer, the LigerBots grouped by student age and geographic location and introduced to each other to facilitate formation of FLL teams.  At least three teams were created, with more to follow.  The FLL season is underway, and registration will close soon.  Since teams may have openings for members (and especially coaches!), anyone interested should contact fll@ligerbots.org to be put in touch with appropriate teams.  LigerBots members are also stepping up to volunteer as mentors to FLL teams, and coaches may request their assistance via fll@ligerbots.org.

The LigerBots will host an official FLL qualifier competition on November 21 at Newton North HS, open to the public.   See the LigerBots FLL page for information when it becomes available.

Toshiba/NSTA ExploraVision K-12 Science Competition

Events, Opportunities

The 24th annual Toshiba/NSTA ExploraVision program—the world’s largest K–12 student science competition—is now open, and the deadline for project submissions is February 1.  Teams of 2 to 4 students compete for prizes by researching scientific principles and current technologies as the basis for designing innovative technologies that could exist in 20 years. Students outline how they plan to test their ideas and create mock websites to illustrate concepts.  The top 24 teachers who submit 24 eligible online entries will each receive a Toshiba tablet.  See the FAQs.

Waitlist for MITxplore’s Math Enrichment for Grades 4-6

Opportunities

MITxplore will hold its MITxplore@MIT math enrichment program for students in Grades 4-6 from October 4 through December 11.  Students will meet on Sundays, 1PM-2PM, to explore math in fun and creative ways, under the direction of MIT graduate students aiming to inspire and support their academic pursuits.  A $150 covers all expenses, including books, tools, and equipment.  Enrollment filled up very quickly (before we could post about it!), but you can sign up on the waitlist.

Ligress Night at L’Aroma Cafe, Sept. 26

Events

The LigerBots are hosting Ligress Night, 7-9PM on Saturday, September 26 at L’Aroma Cafe (15 Spencer Street, behind West Newton Cinema) for students interested in pursuing STEM careers.  The evening will feature discussion with two strong women in the STEM community from Silverside Detectors, a Somerville startup aimed at building nuclear detection devices.  Sarah Haig is a Silverside COO and co-founder and has worked around the world helping people start small businesses in places like Afghanistan and China.  Ali Forsyth is a Test Engineer and Project Manager and has worked to develop power systems for underwater drones.  For more information about Ligress Night or the LigerBots, email info@ligerbots.org.