The MIT Center for Advanced Virtuality is conducting an online survey of educators (PreK-12) and youth (ages 10-18) for research by Danielle Olson, a Ph.D. candidate in MIT’s Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (CSAIL). Participants will receive a $10 Amazon gift card for playing a short online game and then completing a 30-45-minute survey. Responses will be kept anonymous and confidential. If interested, email Danielle at dolson@mit.edu. While an undergraduate at MIT, Danielle founded Gique, an educational non-profit to inspire and educate youth in STEAM.
STEM Opportunities on #GivingTuesday
On #GivingTuesday last week, several STEM-related causes sought donations, including these, for which the opportunity remains open to support their work:
Newton Free Library: Virtual Makerspace and Online STEM Resources
The Newton Free Library’s Makerspace is now online, offering virtual training in various levels of technology. High-tech training focuses on 3D printing, online computing, media production, robotics, virtual reality, and web design. In addition, online STEM resources include Citizen Science, Sci Starter, Road Kill Tracking Project, National Geographic, and Alternatives to School Hatching Projects.
Empow Studios: Register for In-Person Summer Camps with Online Fallback
Empow Studios is registering students for its in-person summer camps, contingent on the suitability of in-person activities during the summer. If that’s not possible, parents will have the option of transferring to virtual, online programs on the same schedule, at a reduced cost. Refunds are also available up until two weeks before each session. Registration for virtual summer camps is also available, in any case.
TechGirlz: Free Online Tech Workshops for Middle-School Girls
TechGirlz is a non-profit program founded to inspire middle-school girls to explore technology to empower future careers. Affiliated with the Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA), it runs free online workshops and (restrictions permitting) camps and the Girls in Tech Summit, all open to girls in Grades 6-8. For example, it will offer an online workshop, Introduction to JavaScript, on May 16, 1PM-3:30PM.
LigerBots Win Coveted Chairman’s Award!
Even during #StayAtHome, the LigerBots‘ work and achievements continue. In a New England FIRST live stream held last week, it was announced that Newton’s dual-high-school robotics team won the FIRST Robotics Competition Chairman’s Award for the Greater Boston District Competition. The Chairman’s Award is FIRST’s highest award and celebrates the team that best exemplifies the ideals of FIRST. The video presentation of the LigerBots’ award cited the team’s extensive outreach programs, including Women in STEM Day, hosting two FIRST LEGO League competitions for Eastern Massachusetts, and project-based learning initiatives. Winning the Chairman’s award gives the team automatic qualification for the New England District Championship, which unfortunately had to be canceled this year. Nevertheless, the LigerBots’ achievements remain renowned.
Innovation Institute: Evolutionary Biology Seminar, Grades 6-8 & 9-12
The Innovation Institute (Ti2) will offer a new online course — Evolutionary Biology & Development: An Exploration of Genes versus the Environment from Darwin to Genomics — in two sections: Grades 6-8 (8AM-9AM) and Grades 9-12 (9:30AM-10:30AM) on Mondays-Wednesdays-Fridays, May 11 – June 19. The course will be in a seminar format with Mondays and Wednesdays focused on introductory material, interactive presentations, and video explorations, and Fridays dedicated to instructor-facilitated discussion. Register here. Weekly topics are: What is Evolution?, Origin of Life Problem, Diversity of Life – Classification and Phylogeny, What About the Fossil Record?, Origin of Variation (Where Evolution Begins), Selection, Speciation, Co-Evolution, Life History Strategies, Role of Biogeography in Evolution, Extinction, and What About Humans?
Rainstorm: Virtual Splash! Two-Day Programs for HS Students
Because the Splash! programs usually offered by various colleges and universities have been canceled during the shutdown, the sponsor of Splash! is offering Rainstorm — a free, two-day program of online courses for high-school students taught by undergraduates over the May 30-31 weekend, noon-5PM each day. Registration is open until May 13, and classes will be filled on a lottery basis if there is not room for all. For more information, email cloud@learningu.org. STEM-related courses in the catalog include:
- It’s Just Rocket Science
- Glass is Cool: Innovation, Manufacturing and Recycle
- Code like a pro – Java and BDD
- Why is Oxygen So Special?
- Identifying Good Research
- Computers and Ethics
Puddlestompers: Virtual Classes in Nature Exploration, Ages 3-7
Puddlestompers Nature Exploration is a Newton-based company offering classes for young children to explore nature. During this #StayAtHome time, Puddlestompers is offering virtual nature classes for ages 3-7. The lessons are $15 each and are pre-recorded so they can be watched at any time. Each has a STEM activity sheet, an outdoor activity, a handout, a coloring sheet, and a related story. Recent topics are Signs of Spring, Birds:Nesting, Soil, Seed Growth, Worms!, and Robins.
Harvard Museums of Science and Culture: Free Newsletter
HMSC Connects is a free electronic newsletter from the Harvard Museums of Science and Culture to connect families with useful resources from the museums for playing and learning at home. Sign up here.