All posts by newtonstem

Mass. State Science & Engineering Fair at MIT, May 2

Accomplishments, Events

On May 2, 12:30-3PM, the Massachusetts State Science and Engineering Fair will showcase more than more than 300 of the “best of the best” high-school science fair research and design projects from across the state, at the Johnson Athletics Center at MIT.  Topics include:  When Life Gives You Lemons:  Building a Better EpiPen,  LED to a New Light:  Tracking a Golf Ball Using Blue Tooth,  Artificial Pancreas Circuit Model:  Turn Milk Into Plastic, and Music Learning & Impact on Cognition.  $500,000 worth of scholarships and prizes will be awarded at a ceremony at 3:30PM.

Register for Clay Center ‘Family Night Under the Stars,’ May 9

Events

The Clay Center and the Amateur Telescope Makers of Boston will host Family Night Under the Stars at Dexter Southfield School in Brookline on May 9, starting at 4:30PM.  The Observatory will be open 5-9PM.  Galileo will speak.  Amateur telescopes will be on display, along with a telescope clinic, R2D2, a Wookie, Segway rides, kite flying, model rockets, HAM radio demonstrations, NASA ambassadors, and other stuff.  Most events are free, but laser and planetarium shows will be $5 each.  Register online.

Ingenious LigerBots Solve #FIRSTWorld[championship]Problem

Accomplishments, Events

Having qualified for the FIRST Robotics Competition’s World Championship in St. Louis just ten days before the event (April 22-25), the LigerBots confronted another problem:  How to get 47 award-winning teammates, coaches, and mentors — plus 1 robot and assorted equipment — to St. Louis, with absolutely no buses available from the companies approved by Newton Public Schools?  A week of meetings, brainstorming, lobbying, and collaboration with NPS led to a solution:  A caravan of five mini-vans, two cars, plus two trailers hauling 2000 lbs. of gear — driven by parents/coaches/mentors for the 2400-mile round-trip — while some others will make the trip by air.  Yet another example of the LigerBots’ gracious professionalism and coopertition:  The LigerBots are helping another Boston-area team by transporting some large equipment for them.  Here’s how you can participate:

Bring Your Kid to MassBio Day, April 23

Events

Employees of organizations that are members of MassBio may register online to bring their children (8-12 years old) to Bring Your Kid to MassBio Day, an event coordinated with Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day, April 23.  This event, open only to employees of MassBio member organizations, will be held at MassBio headquarters, starting with breakfast and independent activities at 9AM, followed by a Jello experiment conducted by MassBioEd at 10AM, and ending at 10:30AM.

Teachers on the Estuary — Professional Development, July13-16 in Falmouth

Events, Opportunities, Resources

The National Estuarine Research Reserve System (NERRS) offers ‘Teachers on the Estuary‘ (PDF) — a field-based professional development program for middle- and high-school teachers interested in watershed and estuary topics, July 13-16, at the Waquoit Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve in Falmouth on Cape Cod.  See this page for links to syllabus and application.  Free but space is limited.   Teachers will be awarded equipment and $200 implementation mini-grants.  Rustic lodging and camping is available.  Contact Joan Muller at 508-457-0495 x107.