Museum Institute for Teaching Science (MITS) and Mass Audubon will hold a two-day workshop on alternative energy, Lighting the Way with Wind and Solar: Pathways to a Sustainable Energy Future, for middle- and high-school teachers on December 1-2, 8:30AM-3:30PM at the Mass Audubon headquarters in Lincoln. A $175 fee includes a toolkit of classroom materials. Register here.

Registration will open on October 23 for Clark University’s Fall Splash — a one-day program offering many dozens of classes for students in Grades 5-12, to be held November 19, 10AM-5PM, on the Clark campus (950 Main St., Worcester).  The classes are taught by Clark student volunteers. Each student should create his/her own online account and then register as soon as possible because classes fill up.  The day is free, with lunch included.  For more information, email clarkuesp@gmail.com.

STEM Pathways — a Boston University/MIT outreach program for synthetic biology — will offer a one-day training session for high-school students (ages 15+) on November 4, 10AM-4PM, at Boston University.  Students will learn about fundamental synthetic biology tools and concepts like DNA purification, gel electrophoresis, and bacterial transformation in a working synthetic biology lab environment. There is no fee, and lunch will be provided. Registration (including a recommendation letter from a teacher) is required by October 25. For more information,  email connect@stempathways.org.

Boston College will hold BC Splash on Sunday, November 5.  Splash is a one-day, student-run program in which undergraduates and graduate students teach mini-courses for high-school students.  Running in parallel is the Parent Program for parents to talk with financial advisers, admissions directors, and faculty. There’s a $5.25 fee, which includes a pizza lunch.  Registration is required, is first-come/first-served. For more information, email bcsplash@gmail.com or call at 617-297-7524.

MIT’s Splash program runs each year on the weekend before Thanksgiving — this year, on November 18-19 (10AM-9PM on Saturday, and 9AM-6PM on Sunday).  Splash gives students in Grades 9-12 the opportunity to take a wide range of over mini-courses and participate in walk-in activities.  BostonTechMom has an insightful post recommending MIT Splash.  This year, over 400 courses will be offered in the areas of Science, Computers & Programming, Engineering, and Mathematics — plus other stuff. The cost is $40 regardless of the number of courses taken, and generous financial aid is available.

The first phase of registration is now open until October 27 for students to specify their preferences for classes.  Classes will then be filled by lottery, treating equally all those who register anytime in the first phase of registration.  Lottery results will be available by October 30. MIT notes, “To get a full schedule, we recommend ranking at least 3 classes and starring at least 10 classes per time block. All class choices will be entered into the lottery. This is not first-come first-served; classes will be assigned after student registration is closed, so take your time.”

Some classes may be available for those registering later, in a subsequent phase of registration.  See the Program Details page.  There’s also a free Parent’s Program with campus tours and discussion of issues of interest to parents (see last year’s schedule), with no need for registration.  For more information, email splash@mit.edu.

The Studio of Engaging Math will host a Halloween Math Hunt and Open House on October 29, 10AM-1PM at 320 Washington St, Ste 301, in Brighton. Kids 4 to 14 years old and their parents are invited to play games of logic and strategy, solve challenging puzzles, and learn about the Studio’s curriculum.