Newton Neighbors Helping Neighbors seeks to raise $7,500 in March to help 15-20 local kids attend summer camp, including a two-week coding and STEM camp offered by Newton Community Education. Donate here.
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3 Boston University Summer STEM Programs, In-Person and Online
Boston University will offer these summer STEM programs for young women in Massachusetts schools:
- AI4ALL: July 25-August 12, in-person, for young women currently in Grades 10-11 in Massachusetts schools. Participants explore topics in Artificial Intelligence such as robotics, computer vision, and natural language processing through team projects, industry field trips, and presentations from guest speakers. The program concludes with a small group research project and a presentation for friends and family. Cost: $100.
- The Artemis Project: July 5-August 5, in-person, for young women currently in Grade 8 in Massachusetts schools, with priority for those living within a 15-mile radius of Boston. Participants learn computer languages such as Scratch, AppInventor, HTML, CSS, and Python and are introduced to cryptography, artificial intelligence, robotics, and circuits. They learn how computer science is applied in the real world by hearing from guest speakers and visiting local industries. The program is run by BU undergraduates majoring in Computer Science or Engineering. Cost: $100.
- GROW (Greater Boston Research Opportunities for Young Women): June 29 -30 (orientation) and July 5– August 12 (program), in-person, for young women currently in Grade 11 in Massachusetts high schools within 30 miles of Boston. Students will perform research in a lab at Boston University, 9:30-4:30 (M-F) for six weeks, participating in cutting edge research in a collaborative setting and learning best research practices, hearing from guest speakers, and developing communication skills by presenting their research at a symposium. Those who complete all program requirements will receive a stipend of $1500.
Theatre Review: “Young Nerds of Color” at Central Square through Mar. 20
ArtsFuse has a review of the play Young Nerds of Color, which runs through March 20 at Central Square Theater. It’s a thought-provoking play that weaves together interviews with scientists from underrepresented backgrounds to explore implicit and systemic bias that young people of color face when trying to enter STEM fields — and the resulting loss incurred as a result. It runs about 75 minutes and is produced by Underground Railway@Central Square Theater and the Brit d’Arbeloff Catalyst Collaborative@MIT. Get tickets here. Proof of vaccination is required.
Earthwatch: Girls in Science Summer Fellowship, Apply by Mar. 23
Earthwatch offers its fully funded Girls in Science summer fellowships to improve gender equality in STEM and to expand interest and confidence through hands-on environmental research for teens who identify as female. The program is open to those currently 15-18 years old and in Grades 10-11 in Massachusetts high schools, and the ideal participants will be interested in exploring STEAM, a member of a group historically underrepresented in STEAM, and not havehad extensive similar experiences. The program is offered in three sessions (June 26–July 2, August 7–13, and August 14–20) at two field sites, each with its own focus:
- Observe and collect data on forests, intertidal organisms, and birds on the expedition Climate Change: Sea to Trees at Acadia National Park at the Schoodic Institute at Acadia National Park in Maine;
- Study the ecology and behavior of dolphins on the expedition Marine Mammal Bioacoustics and Conservation at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, in partnership with Woods Hole Sea Grant.
There is no cost to Girls in Science fellows, and food and lodging are provided. Apply by March 23.
TechGirlz: Free, Online Workshops for Girls in Grades 5-8
TechGirlz, a nonprofit program of CompTIA, is hosting over 30 free, online workshops running in two-hour sessions throughout March and April for girls in Grades 5-8.
Newton’s Summer Environmental Science Program, Grades 7-10
Newton’s Envi Sci Program is a summer outdoor and educational program, July 5 – August 4, for students entering Grades 7 through 10, under the auspices of Newton Parks, Recreation and Culture and located at Bowen Elementary School. 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 a 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 $2195 for Newton residents ($2245 for non-residents), with need-based financial aid available. Registration, payment, and other required forms are here. For more information, contact David Backer at 617-447-9317 or contact@newtonenvisci.org.
Tufts Summer Programs for Elementary and Middle-School Students: Registration Opens Feb. 22
Tufts University, which offers a wide range of pre-college summer courses for high-school students, will collaborate with Tuft’s Center for Engineering Education and Outreach (CEEO) to offer in-person summer engineering design workshops for students entering Grades 1-8. Each program will be for one week, Monday-Friday, 9AM-3PM. Programs include:
Grades 1-3
- Robotics & Engineering
- Pet Helpers Engineering
- The Circus is Coming
- Novel Engineering
Grades 4-8
- Robotics for ALL – SPIKE Prime
- Wizarding Engineering
- Girls Engineering
- Spy Games
The cost is $750 per week. Registration will open February 22. For more information email precollege@tufts.edu or call 617-627-2926.
HMSC Online: Free Events for Various Ages, Feb. 23 & Mar. 9
Harvard Museums of Science and Culture will host these free, online events:
- Lessons from Plants: Online book discussion for older children and teens, February 23, 6PM-7PM. Register here.
- After-School Animal Encounters: Get Growing!: For younger children, March 9, 4PM-4:45PM. Register here.
FSU McAuliffe Center: Undiscovered Worlds — In-Person or Online, Feb. 25
The Christa McAuliffe Center at Framingham State University will host the film Undiscovered Worlds, February 25, followed by a presentation and Q&A about NASA’s search for exoplanets. The presentation and Q&A will be with Katharine Hesse and Evan Tey from the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) Science Office at MIT’s Kavli Institute for Astrophysics and Space Research. You may to attend either:
- In-person: 7PM for the film (recommended for ages 12+) followed by the presentation and Q&A at 7:30PM, $5 per person. Register here.
- On-line: 7:30PM presentation and Q&A, free. Register here.
Broad Institute: Virtual Seminar for Rare Disease Day, Feb. 28
The Broad Institute will honor an international event, Rare Disease Day, on February 28 with its own free, virtual seminar, Spotlight on Cancer, 2PM-5PM, streamed live from Broad’s auditorium. Register here.