All posts by newtonstem

Girls Who Code: Introductory Session at Newton Library, Sept. 16

The Newton Free Library will again host its successful Girls Who Code Club this fall.  Interested girls in Grades 6-12 and their parents are invited to an information session at 7PM on September 16 in the Druker Auditorium.  GWC is a national non-profit organization aiming to inspire, educate, and equip girls with the computing skills.  For more information, email teens@newtonfreelibrary.net or call 617-796-1360.

JCC Offers STEM Programs this Fall

The Leventhal-Sidman JCC (333 Nahanton Street) will offer the following STEM programs this fall.  Register online at bostonjcc.org/register or call 617-558-6486.

Junior FIRST LEGO League (Grades K-3), Thursdays 3:30-4:45PM, September 17 – November 5  Work as a team to make mechanized, programmed LEGO models, which will be presented to a Junior FIRST LEGO League Exposition. Learn about research, methodologies, motorized computer controlled LEGO and teamwork. Einstein’s Workshop

FIRST LEGO League (Grades 4-8), Thursdays 5-7PM, September 17 – December 10  Build and program LEGO MINDSTORMS robots to perform missions on an obstacle course.  Participate in a regional tournament.  Einstein’s Workshop

Lego Animation (Grades 1-2), Sundays 1-2PM, September 20 – December 13  Make movies with LEGO® pieces.  Develop story-telling skills, learn professional software, work on post-production process to add titles, transitions and sound.  Empow Studios

App Design for Droids (Grades 3-5), Sundays 2:15-3:15PM, September 20 – December 13  Use MIT’s App Inventor to program an app from start to finish. Tablets will be provided or students can bring their own.  No previous programming experience necessary.  Empow Studios

Unity 3D Video Game Design (Grades 4-6), Sundays 3:30-4:30PM, September 20 – December 13  Make console-quality 3D video games using the free game engine, Unity, for plan on PCs, Macs and online.  Open to beginner and experienced game makers.  Empow Studios

EcoTarium Programs in September

Worcester’s EcoTarium offers general admission and planetarium shows at half price in September.  This month’s Budding Scientists program (for children ages 4-6 with accompanying adult; free with museum admission) will be on September 3 (10:15AM and 11AM), exploring the sounds of nature and music.  The EcoTarium’s summer exhibit, Wild Music, will close September 6Cool Moves: The Artistry of Motion will open September 22.

Boys & Girls Club: Curiosity Club for Grades K-1

The John M. Barry Boys & Girls Club will offer Curiosity Club, its new after-school STEM program for Grades K-1, starting September 8, with support from Rockland Trust Charitable Foundation.  See the curriculum and daily schedule.  Program times will vary within 12:30-6PM to fit school schedules.  Open houses will be held:

  • Tuesday, September 1 from 6:00 to 7:30 PM
  • Wednesday, September 2 from noon to 1:30 PM
  • Thursday, September 3 from 6 to 7:30 PM
  • Friday, September 4 from noon to 1:30 PM

Return the application form (PDF) by email (dsellers@newtonbgc.com), or fax (617 630-8999), or mail.

YouthSpark Coding Camp at Microsoft Store, Aug. 17-20

The Microsoft Store at Prudential Center invites experienced coders aged 11 and older to its YouthSpark Smart Game Coding (Intermediate) camp this week, August 17-20, 9-11AM daily.  The focus will be on coding and game creation in Windows App Studio and Project Spark.  Registration is required and available for August 18-20, and we don’t know if onsite registration is available for Monday.  Parent/guardian must be present for kids under 18.

Framingham State: Free Program about Pluto, Aug. 19

The Christa McAuliffe Center at Framingham State University will present a free planetarium program, Pluto, the Planet that Never Was, on Wednesday, August 19, at 100 State Street in Framingham.  It will provide a closer look at Pluto, its moons, and the Kuiper Belt.  Registration is required.  The 5:30PM show for children under 11 is full, but you can register for the 6:30PM show, which is for the general public, including families with children 12 or older, and college students.

“e” inc. Continues Campaign to Send Boston Youth to Science Camp

“e” inc. — Boston’s environment science learning and action center — seeks funding to send two more Boston youth to attend its Summer Science Discovery Programs:  “Oceans” August 17-21 and “New England Habitat” August 24-28.  Through a campaign in July, it raised $1362 for financial support for four kids, but two more have applied and need assistance.  “e” inc. is a community-based non-profit that creates scientifically confident environmental citizens by providing civics and science sessions to children and teens in school-year and summer programs at over 20 Greater Boston schools, community centers, and other educational institutions.  Donations to their IndieGoGo campaign go directly to a scholarship fund that will offset costs for low-income families.