Applications are open for Expedition: Bio, the Whitehead Institute’s popular two-week summer day program for students entering Grades 7-8. In each of two sessions (July 6-17 and August 3-14), 24 students will participate 9AM-3PM in hands-on activities, laboratory modules, and discussions with scientists about ecology, genetics, chemistry, and bioengineering. The cost is $1000 and there are a limited number of need-based, full-tuition scholarships available.
Einstein’s Workshop: Free Virtual Learning Workshop
In keeping with its goal to help kids make, design, build, code, and learn together, Einstein’s Workshop is offering #StayAtHome parents and kids a lot of free online STEM resources. Visit Einstein’s Virtual Learning Workshop for free, trustworthy virtual classes and tutorials to help entertain and educate. There are recorded videos, a daily live video session, printable activity sheets, apps and tools, and other resources. The content is updated every day by the Einstein’s Workshop team.
Boys & Girls Club: Online STEM Activities
The John M. Barry Boys & Girls Club is offering STEM programs on its website and Facebook page, including LEGO Challenges, DIY STEM, Coding, and other fun programs. Follow on Facebook to keep up-to-date.
Mad Science: Online STEM Lessons; Close-Out Sale of STEM Kits
Mad Science of North Boston is offering 60-minute science lessons online at 10AM daily (discounted pricing for a week). It’s also holding a liquidation sale of its remaining Home Lab Kits (separate kits for Chemistry, NASA, Secret Agent, and Mad Scientist Mystery) for $30 each and LEGO Kits $20 each, shipping included. Order here.
You-Do-It Electronics: Online Sales & Curbside Pickup
You-Do-Electronics Center (YDI) is open online or by phone with shipping or curbside pickup (40 Franklin Street in Needham). It features these STEM educational toys and kits for #StayAtHome families.
Boston Globe Asks: How is Online STEM Learning Working for Your Family?
This week a Boston Globe reporter read NewtonSTEM posts here and here about online STEM education resources available for families remaining at home during the COVID-19 pandemic, and this week NewtonSTEM highlights several more online resources. Sydney Hager, a Boston University journalism major and Boston Globe reporter focusing on Newton, would like to interview parents of students using such online STEM resources to learn about their experience. Some of these resources are new offerings, created quickly from in-person curricula, and there will surely be a lot of experimentation and improvement as we all learn about learning remotely. Sydney would like to know about your initial experience, as well as your hopes and suggestions. If you would like to be interviewed, email Sydney Hager at smhager@bu.edu.
Science Club for Girls: Available for All, At Home
Science Club for Girls has moved online, offering hands-on activities, videos, podcasts, and virtual tours each Monday for its STEM Activity for the Week on the SCFG Facebook page. Everyone — not just SCFG members — is invited to try out the experiments and post on social media about them with the tag #SCFGatHome. You can also email photos or videos of your activity to scfg@scienceclubforgirls.org for SCFG to share. SCFG also offers this list of at-home STEM activities, videos, podcasts, and other resources.
Northeastern Splash! has Moved to Online Classes
Each spring, NEPTUN (a Northeastern University student group) hosts Splash!, a free program for students in Grades 9-12 to take mini-classes led by Northeastern undergraduate and graduate students. This spring, Splash! has moved online to Digital Splash! STEM courses include:
New England Sci-Tech Offers Online Classes
The New England Sci-Tech STEM education center in Natick is offering online classes in science fact and fiction. Many of the classes are free for members, and admission is low-cost for everyone else.
- Amateur Radio License Course – Technician (all ages): Learn the basics of wireless technology and get an FCC radio license.
- Amateur Radio License Course – General (all ages): Upgrade to a higher level
- Ask a Fire Fighter (Grades 3-10): Learn about fire fighting and fire safety.
- Ham Radio Shop Talk (all ages): Ask a mentor how to use your radio.
- Yes, This is Rocket Science (ages 8-adult, or younger children accompanied by an adult): Learn concepts, design a rocket, run simulated flights, print parts lists and plans.
- Deep Thought (Grades 6-12): Discuss time travel, faster-than-light travel, teleportation, relativity, quantum mechanics, and more.
- Sci-Fi Fan Club – (grades 6-12): Discuss sci-fi literature and share sci-fi short stories.
- Dinner and a Sci-Fi Movie (grades 6-12): Discuss sci-fi movies and examine the plausible science behind the fiction.
NNHS STEMentors Club Offers Experiments to Try at Home
The Newton North HS STEMentors club was formed to bring STEM lessons to Newton students in Grades K-8 in schools, libraries, and expos. During COVID-19 #FlattenTheCurve closings, STEMentors is offering a montage of science experiments for kids to try at home through a video and an online document to demonstrate and explain each experiment. Send them feedback at stementors.nnhs@gmail.com.