All posts by newtonstem

Newton Boys & Girls Club Adds STEM Programs

August 16, 2015Opportunitiesnewtonstem

The John M. Barry Boys & Girls Club is expanding its STEM programming with these offerings for the fall season:

L…E…G…O…Go LEGOS! (Grades 2-4): Children will use LEGO Education WeDo kits to design and build models while having fun and trying new things in a casual, yet challenging environment.
Keep an Eye Out for… Science! (Grades 3-5): Through observation, evaluation, and creative thinking, children will build on their natural curiosity to explore science in fun and exciting classes.
Make a Big Deal with the Russian School of Math (Grades 2-4): The award-winning Russian School of Mathematics will provide a full-year math program for an hour a week to build up skills, develop critical and logical thinking, and involve alternative approaches such as hands-on activities, puzzles, and projects to engage students.

All programs start on October 5 and run for 10 weeks (except Make a Big Deal, which runs the entire school year). Registration opens September 1 and is available to Boys & Girls Club members. (Family membership is $125 per year, and financial aid is available.) For more information, contact Education Director Tamara Brogan at tbrogan@newtonbgc.com.

Einstein’s Workshop: Chess Tournament for Grades K-12, Aug. 30

August 16, 2015Eventsnewtonstem

Einstein’s Workshop (25 Adams Street in Burlington) will hold its first-ever Chess Tournament on Sunday, August 30. U.S. women’s 1995 chess champion, Sharon Burtman, will host, provide analysis of some games, and offer a workshop for parents. Space is limited, the fee is $15, and registration is required. Check-in is at 12:30PM, and the tournament will run 1-6PM, with separate sections for Grades K-3, 4-8, and 9-12.

Newton Library STEAM Lecture: Civilian Drones, Aug. 13

August 9, 2015Eventsnewtonstem

The Newton Free Library’s STEAM Lecture Series will host a presentation by Newton North alumnus Dave Avery, of the low-altitude cinematography company Above Summit, about the civilian use of drones (unmanned aerial vehicles), on August 13 at 7PM in the Druker Auditorium. He will describe drone technologies, capabilities, and potential impacts. No reservation is required.

EcoTarium’s Tree Canopy Walkway Closes Aug. 16

August 9, 2015Opportunitiesnewtonstem

August 19 will be the last day to experience the Worcester EcoTarium’s Tree Canopy walkway, open daily, weather permitting. Kids and adults move through a series of platforms and rope bridges suspended high in the trees to explore life in the tree canopy (see photos)– and then zip-line down to the ground. It’s open to children 5-11 years old when accompanied by an adult, as well as to children 12 and up with or without an adult. Space is limited. Purchase tickets at the museum. The cost is $10 plus museum admission ($8 for members). Check the website for preparation, safety information, and a liability-release form.

Gique’s Dance Party Fundraiser, Aug. 29

August 9, 2015Eventsnewtonstem

Gique, an MIT-based STEM+Arts educational non-profit, is holding a geek-themed Zumbathon fundraiser on Saturday, August 29 on the Great Lawn at 4 Emerson Place in Boston. Adults $15, children $10. All proceeds will be used for Gique’s programs to attract girls to STEM and teach them STEM principles through the arts. See details and register here.

iRobot Talk on Aug. 4 at Newton Library for Grades 2-5

August 2, 2015Eventsnewtonstem

On Tuesday, August 4 at 7PM, a representative from iRobot will talk about robots at the Newton Free Library. The talk — about what some robots do and careers for people who want to work with robots — is for kids entering Grades 2-5 and will be in the Library’s Druker Auditorium. Space is limited, so pick up tickets at the Library’s children’s desk 30 minutes before the program starts.

Middle-School Ambassadors Get Inspired at ‘Envision the Future’ Week

August 2, 2015Eventsnewtonstem

Newton’s three middle-school girl ambassadors to Envision the Future — Abigail Brooks (Brown MS), Dumebi Okonkwo (Day MS), and Deanne Harris (Oak Hill MS) — had a terrific week at Bridgewater State University, culminating in a STEM Resource Expo to present their work and meet with STEM programs and vendors. Sponsored by the John M. Barry Boys & Girls Club, the Newton team joined 45 other girls from 17 Massachusetts communities in a packed program of inspiration, introductions, experimentation, and accomplishment — all in collaboration with about two dozen women in STEM careers.

Attending the final-day Expo were Tamara Brogan (Boys & Girls Club Director of Education), Margaret Albright (Newton School Committee), and Bruce Henderson (NewtonSTEM). Other supporters of Envision the Future — Angela Pitter (Newton School Committee) and Jill Graboski (Newton Free Library Assistant Director) — were unable to attend at the last minute. NewTV covered the event (video; see timemark 8:10).

The Newton Envision the Future middle-school ambassadors and supporting organizations — including Newton Community Education and The Innovation Institute — are eager to replicate aspects of the program in Newton throughout the coming year. Stay tuned.

3-Day Professional Development for ‘Bootstrap’ Computer Science, Aug. 10-12

August 2, 2015Opportunities, Resources, Summernewtonstem

MassCAN (the Massachusetts Computing Attainment Network) is sponsoring a 3-day workshop for Massachusetts math and computer science teachers to explore the Bootstrap curriculum. With Bootstrap, students ages 12-16 learn algebraic and geometric concepts through computer programming. The workshop will be held August 10-12, 8AM-4PM at the Framingham State University. The cost is $25, including breakfast and lunch. Register online. For more information, contact Jim Stanton of MassCAN at jstanton@edc.org or 617-618-2456.

Videos for High-School Students: Nancy’s Brain Talks

August 2, 2015Resourcesnewtonstem

MIT neuroscience professor Nancy Kanwisher has launched a website, nancysbraintalks.mit.edu, to present her many short video lectures on the human mind and brain. They’re aimed at anyone interested in the brain — especially high-school students — and not much science background is required. Start with her TED talk.

Discovery Museums: Apply by Sept. 4 to be a Science Communication Fellow

August 2, 2015Opportunitiesnewtonstem

The Discovery Museums in Acton seek STEM professionals to become Science Communication Fellows. Twice a year, the museums accept 8 educators and STEM professionals as Science Communication Fellows in their Portal to the Public program — part of a nationwide program of 36 participating museums. Training takes 10 hours across two Saturdays. Applications (PDF) for the fall cohort are due September 4. Fellows work with education professionals to develop fun, engaging activities to help non-scientists understand their work and then share the results in public programs. Fellows receive free museum membership, a chance to improve communications skills, and membership in a national network of science and museum professionals committed to increasing public understanding and appreciation of STEM. This video explains the program from the points of view of Fellows, parents, museum staff, and kids. Since 2013, thirty professionals — from 15 corporations and universities — have become Fellows at the Discovery Museums. Space is limited, and tuition may be waived. For more information, contact Denise LeBlanc at dleblanc@discoverymuseums.org or 978-264-4200 ext. 20.