Category Archives: Events

HMNH Science Spotlights: Young scientists discuss big questions, June 10

Events

Harvard Museum of Natural History will host Science Spotlights on June 10, 2PM-3:30PM, where up-and-coming young scientists will present short talks about questions at the forefront of research today. For ages 10+. Free for those admitted to the museum.

2PM: Exploring Other Worlds with Victoria DiTomasso, Center for Astrophysics. Take a look at distant planets outside of the solar system, retrace the steps to the discovery of the first so-called exoplanet, and see how astronomers like DiTomasso use the movement of stars to learn about the exoplanets that revolve around them.

3PM: Tales of Zircon: Adventures in Understanding Deep Time with Dr. Heather Kirkpatrick, Drabon Group. Geologists use the rock record to understand what the Earth was like millions of years ago. But what happens when we explore periods of history so long ago that we no longer have these rocks? Kirkpatrick will discuss her work on using the chemistry of minerals to understand these long-ago times in Earth’s history.

LigerBots Host Info Night about FIRST LEGO League Robotics, June 14

Events

Newton families with students in ages 4-16 — who are interested in STEAM and/or robotics (or think they may be!) — are invited to a free information session about First Lego League (FLL), on Wednesday, June 14, 7:00-8:30PM, hosted by Newton’s high school robotics team, the LigerBots. Parents, guardians, students, and potential mentors can learn about how the FLL season and competitions run, what is required to participate, and what students can gain from the experience. This Info Night will be held at Newton North High School, in the Film Lecture Hall (off the main lobby). There will be hands-on STEAM activities for children while adults are in the presentation. Sign up here.

FIRST Lego League (FLL) is an annual robotics competition in which teams of 2-10 students build a robot, solve engineering challenges, and learn in a friendly competition. FLL offers different divisions for ages 4-6, 6-10, and 9-16+. Older students compete in LEGO robot competitions and complete research projects, while younger students do hands-on activities using LEGO or LEGO DUPLO bricks, and explore real-world scientific problems.

Several LigerBots students started in the FIRST program by participating in FLL. A few of the speakers at the FLL info night will be past FLL participants, ready to share experiences and answer questions. They will provide information on how students can start their own teams — and how adults do not need backgrounds in engineering to be successful FLL coaches!

The LigerBots have been extremely generous in supporting FIRST LEGO League in Newton. The team hosts the Newton Qualifier FLL tournament every year and the Massachusetts East FLL Championship most years. The team also runs a STEAM activity expo alongside at least one of its tournaments each year. The public is invited in to watch the tournament and children are invited to do activities at the STEAM expo.

For more information, email cso@ligerbots.com

Tonight: International Space Station directly overhead in mostly clear sky

Events

Tonight, the International Space Station (ISS) will be visible for about 6 minutes starting at 9:25PM, appearing in the northwest, moving directly overhead to a maximum elevation of 89 degrees, and disappearing in the southeast. Skies are expected to be very clear, with 11% cloud cover. The ISS circles the Earth every 90 minutes or so, but its visibility varies. You can check Spot the Station to find when and where it will be visible and sign up for alerts of when it’s most visible in your location.

Christa McAuliffe Center: Sally’s Night Celebration, June 16

Events

The Christa McAuliffe Center at Framingham State University will host Sally’s Night Celebration at FSU’s McCarthy Center Forum on June 16, 7PM-9:30PM, in partnership with the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum. See flyer. It’s an evening of free fun for attendees of all ages to mark the 40th anniversary of Sally Ride’s historic STS-7 mission and becoming the first American woman in space. Registration is required.

  • 7:30-8:15: Keynote presentation by Dr. Margaret Weitekamp, Curator and Department Chair, Space History Department, National Air and Space Museum
  • 7:00-8:30: Hands-on activities led by NASA Solar System Ambassadors and giveaways

  • 8:30-9:30: Stargazing with McAuliffe Center staff or interactive Solar System Explorers program

Broad Discovery Series x BroadIgnite: An Evening of Inspired Science, May 24

Events, Virtual/Online

The next presentation in Broad Institute’s Broad Discovery Series of free, public lectures (formerly Science for All Seasons) will be on May 24, 5:30-6:30PM. Five emerging scientific visionaries will talk about their efforts in addressing neurodegenerative and metabolic diseases, sudden cardiac death, infectious disease diagnosis and surveillance, and rare genetic disorders. Register to attend — either in-person (415 Main Street, Cambridge) or virtually. In-person attendees are invited to a reception in the Broad Discovery Center following the talk.

This event is a collaboration with BroadIgnite, a Broad Institute program that partners rising philanthropists with early-career researchers involved in high-risk, potentially high-reward projects.

Massachusetts Girls STEM Summit, June 11

Events

Jr. Tech will sponsor a Girls STEM Summit at Wentworth Institute of Technology (550 Huntington Ave, Boston) on June 11, 8AM-4PM.  It’s aimed at all persons who identify as female, non-binary, or other gender identity or expression in Grades 8-12 who love STEM and would like to learn about emerging STEM careers. Sponsors include NationalGrid, enel North America, and Liberty Mutual Insurance. The cost is $75 and includes lunch. Register online for individuals or groups of students. For more information, email achel@juniortech.org.

MITES seeks instructors and mentors for transformational STEM programs

Events, Opportunities

MITES (MIT Introduction to Technology, Engineering, and Science) is seeking instructors and mentors for its free, transformative STEM programs for students in Grades 7-12 from underserved and underrepresented backgrounds. Applicants may be undergraduates, graduate students, and working professionals who are energetic, thoughtful, and motivated by the MITES mission. There are both paid and volunteer positions available.

For nearly 50 years, MITES (formerly the MIT Office of Engineering Outreach Programs) has changed thousands of lives, advancing equity and access in STEM fields. MITES runs three programs:

  • MITES Semester: Hybrid STEM program for rising high school seniors, June–December (formerly MOSTEC).
  • MITES Summer: Six-week, residential STEM program for rising high school seniors (formerly MITES).
  • MITES Saturdays: Multi-year STEM academy for students in Grades 7-12 in Boston, Cambridge, and Lawrence, MA public schools (formerly SEED Academy).

An equal opportunity employer, MITES encourage those from backgrounds historically underrepresented in STEM to apply — to help students see people like themselves as successful professionals, leaders, and guides in STEM. Openings may be for remote, in-person, or residential programs; part-time or full-time; for summer or academic year; and as instructor or mentor. See FAQs for prospective staff and email staffapp@mit.edu for more information.

MITES will host its Saturdays Symposium on May 6, 10AM-4PM, at MIT’s Stata Center (32 Vassar Street, Cambridge), to celebrate the achievements of more than 100 MITES Saturdays scholars from Boston, Cambridge, and Lawrence as they present their final projects. It’s a good opportunity for anyone interested in supporting and/or working for MITES.

Olin College Spring Expo, May 9

Accomplishments, Events

Olin College of Engineering will hold its Spring Expo on May 9, 10AM-Noon, when students will share their favorite projects, research experiences, and other pursuits at tables lining the hallways of the Miller Academic Center, in some classrooms, and outside. Community members and student family members are invited, but the school is not able to accommodate any additional groups of Grades K-12 students this year. No pre-registration is required, but please sign in upon arrival at the Miller Academic Center.