The Caterpillar Lab in Marlborough, NH — founded by Newton alum Sam Jaffe — seeks interns, seasonal employees, and volunteers to help open people’s eyes to the natural value of their backyards, neighborhoods, and green spaces. Contact Sam Jaffe at jaffe@thecaterpillarlab.org.
LLCipher: MIT Lincoln Laboratory’s Virtual Summer Workshop in Theoretical Cryptography for Grades 9-12, Aug. 1-5
MIT Lincoln Laboratory offers LLCipher, a free, one-week workshop in theoretical cryptography, August 1-5, for high-school students in Grades 9-12 interested in math and cyber security. Students from underrepresented groups are strongly encouraged to apply. Applications are due April 29.
N.E. Sci-Tech’s Youth Inventors Workshops on Saturday Mornings
New England Sci-Tech (NEST) STEM education center hosts its Youth Inventors Workshops on Saturdays, 9AM-Noon, throughout the year. They’re best for Grades 7-12, and students in Grades 5-6 may be included with special permission. Instructors are NEST teachers or volunteers, some with electronic or mechanical engineering degrees, as well as high-school or college students with experience in robotics or electronics. Students are encouraged to work in teams to design and build projects — brainstorming, sketching out ideas, calculating dimensions, learning to use design tools and software, building prototypes, testing and retesting, and solving problems that inevitably arise. The cost is $80 ($0 for NEST members).
UMass Amherst Summer Pre-College Programs at Newton’s Mt. Ida Campus
UMass Amherst is offering three summer pre-college programs for students in Grades 10-12 at its Mt. Ida campus in Newton. Students can experience college-level academics, explore their interests, and get a feel for campus life. All programs meet Monday-Friday, 9AM-4PM, are taught by UMass faculty and advanced graduate students, and feature hands-on, project-based learning. Residential and commuter options are available. Applications are considered on a rolling basis through June.
- Building & Construction Technology: CityLab, July 10-30
- Combatting the Climate Crisis with Neighborhood Trees, July 24-30
- Veterinary Technology, July 10-23
Science Club for Girls: Virtual Catalyst Awards, Apr. 5
Register here (tickets $0 to $1000) for Science Club for Girls‘ annual fundraiser, the Catalyst Awards, which will be hosted virtually this year on April 5, 5:30PM-7PM, with the theme Transforming the Face of STEM. The evening will highlight SCFG’s successes and celebrate over 27 years of empowering and inspiring girls and women in STEM. NBC10 Boston Morning News Anchor Latoyia Edwards will emcee the program, which will present the 2022 Catalyst Awardees:
- Dr. Yvonne Greenstreet, CEO of Alnylam Pharmaceuticals
- Dr. Mariana Matus, CEO of Biobot Analytics
- Dr. Nancy Simonian, CEO of Syros Pharmaceuticals
In other news… SCFG Live! — the weekly online/TV science show produced by SCFG for ages 5-8 — has just started its fourth season. You can catch up on all 15 episodes of Season 3 at that link.
Newton Neighbors Raising Funds for Summer Camp Scholarhips
Newton Neighbors Helping Neighbors seeks to raise $7,500 in March to help 15-20 local kids attend summer camp, including a two-week coding and STEM camp offered by Newton Community Education. Donate here.
3 Boston University Summer STEM Programs, In-Person and Online
Boston University will offer these summer STEM programs for young women in Massachusetts schools:
- AI4ALL: July 25-August 12, in-person, for young women currently in Grades 10-11 in Massachusetts schools. Participants explore topics in Artificial Intelligence such as robotics, computer vision, and natural language processing through team projects, industry field trips, and presentations from guest speakers. The program concludes with a small group research project and a presentation for friends and family. Cost: $100.
- The Artemis Project: July 5-August 5, in-person, for young women currently in Grade 8 in Massachusetts schools, with priority for those living within a 15-mile radius of Boston. Participants learn computer languages such as Scratch, AppInventor, HTML, CSS, and Python and are introduced to cryptography, artificial intelligence, robotics, and circuits. They learn how computer science is applied in the real world by hearing from guest speakers and visiting local industries. The program is run by BU undergraduates majoring in Computer Science or Engineering. Cost: $100.
- GROW (Greater Boston Research Opportunities for Young Women): June 29 -30 (orientation) and July 5– August 12 (program), in-person, for young women currently in Grade 11 in Massachusetts high schools within 30 miles of Boston. Students will perform research in a lab at Boston University, 9:30-4:30 (M-F) for six weeks, participating in cutting edge research in a collaborative setting and learning best research practices, hearing from guest speakers, and developing communication skills by presenting their research at a symposium. Those who complete all program requirements will receive a stipend of $1500.
Theatre Review: “Young Nerds of Color” at Central Square through Mar. 20
ArtsFuse has a review of the play Young Nerds of Color, which runs through March 20 at Central Square Theater. It’s a thought-provoking play that weaves together interviews with scientists from underrepresented backgrounds to explore implicit and systemic bias that young people of color face when trying to enter STEM fields — and the resulting loss incurred as a result. It runs about 75 minutes and is produced by Underground Railway@Central Square Theater and the Brit d’Arbeloff Catalyst Collaborative@MIT. Get tickets here. Proof of vaccination is required.
Earthwatch: Girls in Science Summer Fellowship, Apply by Mar. 23
Earthwatch offers its fully funded Girls in Science summer fellowships to improve gender equality in STEM and to expand interest and confidence through hands-on environmental research for teens who identify as female. The program is open to those currently 15-18 years old and in Grades 10-11 in Massachusetts high schools, and the ideal participants will be interested in exploring STEAM, a member of a group historically underrepresented in STEAM, and not havehad extensive similar experiences. The program is offered in three sessions (June 26–July 2, August 7–13, and August 14–20) at two field sites, each with its own focus:
- Observe and collect data on forests, intertidal organisms, and birds on the expedition Climate Change: Sea to Trees at Acadia National Park at the Schoodic Institute at Acadia National Park in Maine;
- Study the ecology and behavior of dolphins on the expedition Marine Mammal Bioacoustics and Conservation at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, in partnership with Woods Hole Sea Grant.
There is no cost to Girls in Science fellows, and food and lodging are provided. Apply by March 23.
TechGirlz: Free, Online Workshops for Girls in Grades 5-8
TechGirlz, a nonprofit program of CompTIA, is hosting over 30 free, online workshops running in two-hour sessions throughout March and April for girls in Grades 5-8.