UMass Amherst offers Winter Pre-College online academic programs for Grades 9-12. Some started earlier in December while others will start in January. The project-based programs feature synchronous instruction with UMass faculty and grad students during after-school hours. Visit the link above for program descriptions, dates, pricing and to apply.
Category Archives: Virtual/Online
EcoTarium’s Noon Year’s Eve Celebration Goes Virtual, Dec. 31
The Ecotarium in Worcester is moving its Noon Year’s Eve Celebration online — starting at 11:55AM on December 31 and counting down to Noon. See the link above for downloadable at-home activities and watch the celebration live here.
Museum of Science: Race to the Vaccine: Exploring Public Confidence in a COVID Vaccination, Dec. 14
Boston’s Museum of Science and the Mass League of Community Health Centers will host a free, online event — Race to the Vaccine: Exploring Public Confidence in a COVID Vaccination — on December 14, 4PM-5PM to discuss the results of a new poll of Massachusetts residents about their readiness to receive a COVID-19 vaccination. Analysis of the poll results indicates opportunities to improve vaccination rates through communication via key channels to boost confidence and reduce inequities in vaccination. Registration is required for the online event.
FSU Virtual Planetarium: Ages 10-14 on Dec. 29, Ages 5-8 on Dec. 30
The Christa McAuliffe Center at Framingham State University will hold a live, virtual, interactive sessions during the Winter Break. These shows are usually offered for school classes, and these sessions are for individual and family sign-ups. Register for them by 5PM on December 22.
- Europa Encounter for ages 10-14 on December 29, 2:30PM-3:30PM. $10 per person or $15 for two.
- Solar System Explorers for ages 5-8 on December 30, 2:30PM-3:30PM. $10 per person, $15 for two, or $20 for three.
Newton Free Library: Little Lab Coats — Arctic Explorations, Dec. 22
On December 22 at 4PM, the Newton Free Library will host Arctic Explorations!, a virtual session of its Little Lab Coats series of STEM explorations for ages 6-9 . Discover how some animals adapt to arctic conditions. Space is limited. Register by 4PM on December 21. A link for the online event will be sent the day before the program.
Empow Studios Expands its Summer Camps for 2021, In-Person and Live Virtual
Empow Studios is expanding its summer camps for 2021 to include 20 new camps, both in-person camps and live, virtual camps. Topics include Roblox Video Game Design, Minecraft, Coding, Tech & Design, and Robotics with Sphero robots. Registrations may be changed or canceled without penalty before April 1. Code HOLIDAY10 currently gives you a 10% discount.
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.
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