The Newton LigerBots will hold an informational meeting for students of Newton North HS and Newton South HS (including those who will be freshmen next fall) interested in learning about the engineering and business opportunities offered by the team. It’s great opportunity for students interested in technology, business, graphic design, public speaking, grant writing, and/or STEM. The open house will be held on Monday, June 15, 6:30-8:30PM in the Newton South HS wood shop (Room 9170, by the auditorium). Hands-on activities include driving the LigerBots 2015 robot, using power tools and computer-aided design software, making marketing products, and doing engineering challenge games. Dessert will be provided. Parents are also welcome to come learn about how the team works and opportunities for adults to get involved. For more information, email info@ligerbots.com.
All posts by newtonstem
Parent Info Night for FIRST Lego Robotics, Grades 4-8, June 24
Parents who are interested in robotics for their elementary/middle-school children are invited to an Info Night hosted by the LigerBots, to explain FIRST Lego League robotics to parents of students entering Grades 4-8 this fall. It will be held on Wednesday, June 24, 7-9PM in Newton North HS’s Film Lecture Hall (just off the main school lobby at the Tiger Drive entrance; map; park in the lot off Elm Street). FIRST Lego League immerses teams of up to 10 students, ages 9-14, in real-world scientific and technological problems. Teams research and design solutions to a scientific question or problem and build autonomous Lego robots that compete in performing assigned missions. This year’s challenge is Trash Trek. Experience in FIRST Lego League prepares students well for high-school-level robotics with the LigerBots. For more information, email fll@ligerbots.com or visit www.ligerbots.com.
Newton’s Environmental Science Program: Openings in July, Grades 7-10
Environmental Science Program is a summer outdoor and educational program, June 29-July 29, for students entering Grades 7 through 10, under the auspices of the Conservation Commission of the City of Newton. Students have fun enjoying the wilderness while learning about environmental science. Highlights include hikes to Blue Hills and Mount Monadnock, bicycle trips, a 12-mile canoe trip on the Charles River, an expedition through the salt marshes of the North shore, and an exhilarating three-day backpacking trip up Mount Washington. Students also conduct an environmental cleanup service project and learn about the environment through science workshops on geology, botany, ecology, water cycle, pollution issues, and conservation. The cost is $1295, and need-based financial aid may be available. Print and send the registration form and release forms. For more information, or to inquire about attending only part of the month, contact David Backer at 617-447-9317 or contact@newtonenvisci.org.
Cambridge Science Festival Seeks Volunteers and Teen Advisors
The Cambridge Science Festival is not just for April vacation! Through its Science on the Street program, CSF now brings its STEM activities to cultural and community events and after-school programs across Massachusetts throughout the year — and to weekly sessions in parks throughout the summer. If you would like to volunteer — by organizing/presenting a Science on the Street activity or by being a helping hand — fill out this form. (Volunteers under age 16 must be accompanied by parent/guardian.) Scientists and educators who want to bring their own outreach activities to Science on the Street events should fill out this form.
The Cambridge Science Festival also seeks talented, outgoing high school students to join its 15-person Teen Advisory Board for the 2015-16 school year. The board meets periodically at the Museum of Science, promotes Cambridge Science Festival events in middle and high schools, designs and runs events for teen audiences, writes CSF blog posts, and serves as ambassadors at CSF events. Download details and the application here (MS Word). Interest in STEM is of course a plus, but significant academic achievement in STEM is not necessary.
Science Club for Girls: Job Openings and Internships
Science Club for Girls aims to hire six creative, enthusiastic new team members who are passionate about empowering girls through STEM education. These program managers and program coordinators will work in Lawrence, Cambridge/Newton, or Boston for the 2015-2016 academic year, engaging youth, coaching volunteer mentors, or organizing logistics and materials. If you want to support underrepresented girls developing confidence and literacy in STEM fields, visit the Work With Us page of the Science Club for Girls website for job descriptions and how to apply.
Science Club for Girls also seeks interns for grants/development and social media to work on clearly defined work plans, 8-10 hours per week. If interested, send a cover letter with relevant experience and a small writing sample to jobs@scienceclubforgirls.org with subject line: Internship interest.
Free Fun Fridays at STEM Museums This Summer
Courtesy of Newton’s Highland Street Foundation, 70 museums and cultural venues will be open for free on a Friday this summer — 7 each Friday for 10 weeks. STEM-oriented museums include:
- June 26: MIT Museum
- July 3: Boston Children’s Museum
- August 21: Franklin Park Zoo
- August 28: EcoTarium
EcoTarium’s Tree Canopy Walkway is Now Open
The EcoTarium’s Tree Canopy Walkway is open on weekends through June 21, then daily through August 16, 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.
Newton Library STEAM Lecture: Climate Reality, June 17
The Newton Free Library’s STEAM Lecture Series will present a free talk by Quentin Prideaux of the Climate Reality Project on June 17 at 7PM in the Library’s Druker Auditorium. He will discuss the impacts and causes of climate change, the actions needed, and what it means for Massachusetts and the Northeast. Although the subject is serious, he keeps his presentation positive — and lighthearted where possible.
DESE Gathering Public Input on State Science and Technology/Engineering Assessments, June 18 & 19
The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education is beginning to gather public input about new science and technology/engineering assessments. An online survey will be available soon, and two outreach meetings will be held in our area:
- June 18, 1-3PM: Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Campus Center: Odeum (directions). Register by June 15.
- June 19, 1-3PM: Middlesex Community College, Bedford Campus Center – Café East (directions). Register by June 16.
Workshop: Simulation and Modeling for Middle/High School STEM Teachers, July 13-15
Middle- and high-school STEM teachers are invited to a free, three-day workshop on using computer simulation and modeling in the classroom. They will learn how to use StarLogo Nova simulation software and explore the use of computer-science modeling in students’ science investigations. Sponsored by NSF-funded ECEP and MassCAN, this Project GUTS — Growing Up Thinking Scientifically — workshop will run July 13-15 at Framingham State University. Register online. For more information, contact Kelly Powers, CSTA Greater Boston, kelpowers@gmail.com or Jim Stanton, MassCAN, jstanton@edc.org.