Register now for Think Big — a free, STEM inspiration/networking event for Grades 6-12 at the Newton Free Library on March 3, 2PM-4PM. It’s an opportunity for students to meet and talk informally in small groups with 15-20 professionals in a variety of STEM careers such as software engineering, biochemistry, medical research and practice, nano-structural manufacturing, life-sciences venture capital, architecture, and chemistry. Find out what they do, how they got there, and what STEM opportunities might be a good fit for you. Cabot’s Ice Cream will provide refreshments. Space is limited, and registration is required. The event is sponsored by the Newton Free Library, John M. Barry Boys & Girls Club, and NewtonSTEM as a sequel to a similar event for girls two years ago. This year’s event is open to all genders. To maximize capacity for students, adults will not be admitted.
Volunteer or Visit: BPS Science Fair at Northeastern, Mar. 3
The Boston Public Schools Science Department and Northeastern University’s Center for STEM Education will host the 72nd Citywide Boston Science and Engineering Fair on March 3, 8AM-Noon at Northeastern University’s Cabot Physical Education Building. The public is invited to view the students’ exhibits 1:30-2:30PM. Sign up to be a judge or volunteer.
‘Edge on Science’ Summer Programs: Early-Bird Registration Ends Feb. 28
Edge on Science offers one-week summer programs for budding scientists and engineers at Regis College in Weston, with door-to-door transportation available from Newton, Brookline, Weston, and Wellesley. Register by February 28 for early-bird savings in these programs: Galileo’s Astronomy, Bridge Building, Catapult Engineering, Drone & Code, Let’s Experiment!, Amazing Bugs, Whales ‘n Things, Summer Rocket Blast Off, Hydraulics Makerspace. Each program has no more than 7 students per instructor and offers a project-based introduction to engineering using drawings, tools, hardware, measuring instruments, computer applications, and modeling.
Girls Day at MIT Museum, Mar. 10
On March 10, 11AM-4PM, the MIT Museum will hold its twice-yearly event, Girls Day, celebrating women in STEM. It’s designed to encourage girls (and boys) ages 10+ (but all are welcome!) to explore, build, create, and investigate with MIT faculty, students, and volunteers. This day will focus on Environmental Science. All hand-on activities, talks, and demonstrations are included in the cost of museum admission.
MIT Edgerton’s ‘Science on Saturday’ for Grades K-12, Mar. 10: Rockets and Flight
MIT’s Edgerton Center holds free Science on Saturday programs approximately monthly during the school year for elementary, middle, and high school students — as well as their parents and teachers. Each is a fun, one-hour, interactive presentation beginning at 10AM in MIT’s Kresge Auditorium, 48 Massachusetts Ave. in Cambridge. Kids under 12 must be accompanied by an adult. Attendees also receive same-day admission to the MIT Museum at half-price. No pre-registration is necessary but seating is limited and first-come, first-seated. The next program will be March 10: Rockets and Flight. For more information, contact Dr. Todd H. Rider, Mad Scientist in Residence, at thor@mit.edu.
Girls in Grades 9-12: Register Now for ‘SET in the City’, Apr. 7
Registration is open for the 10th annual SET in the City, for girls in Grades 9-12 to spend a day exploring academic paths and careers in STEM. It will be held 9AM-5PM on April 7, with an agenda starting at the Boston University Photonics Center, then traveling to Brandeis or Emmanuel or Harvard or Simmons, then visiting Biogen in Cambridge. Girls will participate in hands-on activities and interact with STEM students and professionals. The cost is $25 (or $10 for students meeting financial guidelines). Register and pay and submit waivers. The program is sponsored by Boston University, Emmanuel College, Harvard University, Northeastern University, Simmons College, Wentworth Institute of Technology, Vertex, and WGBH.
Registration Open for BU’s Artemis Project: Summer Computer Science for Rising 9th-Grade Girls
Registration is open for Boston University’s Artemis Project, a five-week computer-science summer program for girls entering 9th grade next fall. No prior computer experience is required. Participants learn computer languages (Scratch, AppInventor, HTML, CSS, Python, etc.) and are introduced to robotics, cryptography, artificial intelligence, and circuits. Guest speakers and field trips provide insight into how computer science is applied in the real world. The Artemis Project is led by BU undergraduate women studying Computer Science and Engineering, guided by Cynthia Brossman, Director of BU’s Learning Resource Network. It runs July 9-August 10. Lunch is provided. There is no tuition, but there is a nonrefundable registration fee of $100. Applications, including an essay and two recommendations, are due May 1. For more information, email artemis@bu.edu.
Girls Entering Grades 11-12: BU’s Summer Pathways in Science & Engineering, July 13-20
Summer Pathways is a 7-day residential program for girls in the greater Boston area entering Grades 11-12 who show promise and/or interest in STEM. During July 13-20, participants live on the BU campus; explore opportunities in STEM fields; meet with students and faculty in all disciplines; visit laboratories, companies, and museums; listen to career panels; and spend one night on Boston Harbor’s Thompson Island. See the brochure (PDF). The fee of $675 includes all costs, and financial assistance up to $575 is available for demonstrated need. Applications, including two recommendations from teachers, are due May 1. For more information, contact Cynthia Brossman at cab@bu.edu or 617-353-7021.
Studio of Engaging Math: Summer STEAM Programs
The Studio of Engaging Math, an after-school program for Grades K-8 in Brighton, offers its STEAM summer program in July and August for children ages 7 – 13 to gain exposure to STEM+Art=STEAM with fun, hands-on activities. Sessions include Interactive Toys (July 16-20) and Model House (July 23-27), and both include math puzzle hunts. Register here.
Grades 9-12: Register Now for Northeastern Splash, Mar. 17 & 24
NEPTUN (a Northeastern University student group) has announced the courses for this spring’s Splash, a free program for high-school students in the Boston area to take mini-classes led by Northeastern undergraduate and graduate students, 10AM-3PM on March 17 and 24. It takes place at Northeastern’s Ryder Hall, next door to Ruggles MBTA station. Registration requires setting up a free student account. For more information, contact nu.neptun@gmail.com. Courses include these STEM offerings:
- Cookie assembly line (industrial engineering)
- Intro to Game Artificial Intelligence
- All About Arthritis (and other injuries!)
- From Observation to Application: Discoveries in Biotechnology!
- NEURONS
- Neuroethics: the Effects of Captivity on Neural Systems and Behavior
- Climate Change in the Era of Trump: Impending Doom?
- How (not) to Die in a Chemistry Lab
- Science Experiments!
- Protein Engineering
- How to Clone a Mammoth
- Universe In Your Body
- Psychiatric and Neurological Disorder
- Stem Cells Investigation
- This is Your Brain on Drugs