Z-kai Learning Lab (450 Mass. Ave in Arlington) is offering free, in-person LEGO workshops for ages 5-15 to explore robotics in three levels: Basic (ages 5+), STEAM (ages 9+), and Advanced (ages 11+). Register for 1:30PM or 3:30PM on December 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, or 16 (no 3:30PM workshops on December 9 or 16). Email zkaiusa.staff@gmail.com for more information or to register.
All posts by newtonstem
Coding Butterfly Free Webinar for Kids: Digital Art, Dec. 11 & 12
Coding Butterfly will host two sessions of a free webinar for kids (ages 8-12) to explore digital art with animated GIF and pixel art. It will be offered on December 11 at 5PM and December 12 at 4PM. Register here.
FSU Planetarium Online — AstroNights for Families: Home for the Holiday (Skies), Dec. 18
The Christa McAuliffe Center at Framingham State University continues its season of free, virtual planetarium AstroNights events for families (ages 6+) with an online presentation, Home for the Holiday (Skies), on December 18 at 7PM. It will be an astronomical “variety show” inspired by the science and cultural traditions of the Winter Solstice. View the presentation on Zoom (registration required) or the Christa McAuliffe YouTube channel, where you can view recordings of previous AstroNights events.
MIT Women in Technology Summer Program for Grade 11, Online for 2021, Apply by Jan. 15
MIT’s Women’s Technology Program is an intensive, four-week summer academic program for girls currently in Grade 11 to explore engineering through classes, labs, and projects (see video). It’s usually a residential program, but in 2021 it will be all online, taught live 10AM-5PM weekdays, June 26 – July 23. In 2021, there is no fee to apply or attend. Separate programs are available for Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (20 students) and Mechanical Engineering (20 students). Applicants must have strong curiosity about one of these fields (but no direct experience in it yet) and also excel in math and science. Students with backgrounds underrepresented in STEM and/or few other opportunities to explore these fields are especially encouraged to apply. Applications are now available online and are due January 15. For more information, first check the program’s FAQ and then email wtp@mit.edu. See also their Resources page for additional ways to learn about engineering.
“STEM Spy” Challenging Monthly Edutainment, on Kickstarter
The MobileQuest STEM Center in Cranston, RI is developing STEM Spy to provide engaging learning-at-home during the pandemic. Available in early 2021, it will be a monthly “kit + video” edutainment subscription that challenges kids (ages 6-11) to solve problems in a spy-mission story line. The kit, which is replenished or augmented monthly, contains materials but no instructions for creating solutions for the challenges that are presented in video segments. STEM Spy is currently being funded on Kickstarter until December 28.
Museum of Science’s New Permanent Exhibit: Arctic Adventure
Boston’s Museum of Science today opened a new permanent exhibit, Arctic Adventure: Exploring with Technology on Level 1 of the Blue Wing. The exhibit offers large-scale projections, soundscapes, and digital interactives, inviting participants to use technology to investigate an immersive Arctic environment. Entry is included with museum admission and requires the reservation of a timed ticket.
Tufts CEEO Online Design & Engineering Workshops in January
Tuft’s Center for Engineering Education and Outreach (CEEO) is offering these online Design and Engineering Workshops in January for families that have a LEGO Education SPIKE Prime Kit:
- LEGO Robotics for Beginners: 4 Tuesdays, 3:30PM-5PM, Grades 2-6
- Advanced LEGO Robotics: 4 Wednesdays, 3:30PM-5PM, Grades 2-6
MIT Beaver Works Summer Institute: STEM for HS Seniors
MIT Beaver Works Summer Institute (BWSI) is a rigorous, world-class STEM program for rising high-school seniors offered by MIT and Lincoln Laboratory. It’s free and will be virtual in 2021, running July 5 – August 1 and offering 13 courses:
- Autonomous RACECAR Grand Prix
- Autonomous Air Vehicle Racing
- Autonomous Cognitive Assistance (Cog*Works)
- Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (New!)
- Medlytics
- Embedded Security and Hardware Hacking
- Build a Cubesat
- Unmanned Air System–Synthetic Aperture Radar
- Remote Sensing for Crisis Response
- Designing Assistive Technology
- Serious Game Design and Development with AI
- Quantum Software (New!)
- Cyber Security in Software Intensive Systems (New!)
There’s a multi-step process to qualify and apply. Students must first submit a nomination/reference from a STEM teacher or school administrator in order to register for the free BWSI Online Education Program, which the student must complete in order to apply for the summer programs.
N.E. Aquarium Free Film: ‘Entangled’ Right Whales, Dec. 1
On December 1, 6:30-7:30PM, the New England Aquarium and the Lowell Institute will offer a free screening of the film Entangled, about efforts to save the critically endangered North Atlantic right whales. It will be followed by a panel discussion with:
- Filmmaker and Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter David Abel
- Peter Corkeron, Senior Scientist and Chair of the Kraus Marine Mammal Conservation Program, Anderson Cabot Center for Ocean Life
- Erica Fuller, Senior Attorney, Conservation Law Foundation
- Rob Martin, Commercial fisherman, South Shore Lobstermen’s Association, Cape Cod Commercial Fishermen’s Alliance
Empow Studios: Discounts on Summer Camps, until Dec. 4
Empow Studios has opened registration for its summer camps: in-person camps in Newton, Lexington, and other locations; or live virtual camps with a maximum of 6 campers per counselor. Register by December 4 with code 3D2021 and receive a 15% discount on camp fees. Any reservation made before April 1 may be changed or canceled with full refund.