As we head into November if you are looking for STEM opportunities, here are some ideas.
Dream Big at the Museum of Science
There is a wonderful new IMAX film, Dream Big: Engineering Our World, at the Museum of Science. The MoS was a contributor and developer of the film. The purpose of the film is to promote the educational STEM movement and transform how we think about engineering. I was invited to attend a screening and I encourage you to take your kids to see this important film. It demonstrates the creative side of engineering and explains how all engineers are problem solvers. You will learn about the Great Wall of China, underwater robots, solar cars and the importance of building smart, sustainable cities. This is a wonderful opportunity to introduce your children to the world of engineering. This film opened on October 6 and will run through the school year.
It’s Splash Time
I can’t say enough good things about MIT’s Splash program for high school students. Students have an opportunity to take a number of short classes on many subjects on a college campus. Splash runs November 18 and 19 (registration is required). If you can’t make MIT’s event, Splash programs are also being held at Northeastern, Boston College, Amherst, Brandeis and Clark. See details below for specific dates.
Barnes & Noble’s Mini Maker Faire
B&N stores will host FREE maker faires on November 11 and 12 at the Prudential Center in Boston and in Braintree, Burlington, Framingham, Hadley, Hingham, Holyoke, and Millbury. These family-friendly events are a great way to learn from each other, hear from experts, and work on projects together.
Brain Candy Live!
Brain Candy Live! is coming to Boston on Saturday, November 18th at 8:00 pm at the Wang Theatre. This live show stars Adam Savage, editor-in-chief of Tested.com and former co-host of the Discovery series “MythBusters,” and Michael Stevens, creator of YouTube Channel “Vsauce”. This could be a fun night out for families who love technology and science.
Adam Savage and Michael Stevens have joined forces to bring this one of a kind interactive, hands-on, minds-on theatrical experience to cities across the US. They’re master explainers, bringing along their crazy toys, incredible tools and mind-blowing demonstrations for a celebration of curiosity. Use code STEM for 20% off tickets through Friday, 11/17/17.
New Tech Product
Crowdfunding sites like Kickstarter and Indiegogo have given rise to some super creative STEM products the past few years. I am heartened to see people (many of whom are parents) developing unique tech products for children. The most recent one I got to test out first hand was Unruly Splats. I am excited to introduce a cool STEM toy that teaches kids 6+ to code AND gets them active! This product combines active learning, physical play and social engagement with STEM learning.
Unruly Splats is a set of two programmable electronic floor buttons that kids can code (with Scratch or Blockly) to light-up any color, make sounds or even record their own, and the buttons sense when they jump, step on or slap them with their hands. I can see this being used at home, in classrooms, and in after-school and library programs. This product was designed by a local Boston company. You can get your Splats through Kickstarter.
Here is the full list of free or low-cost STEM activities for your kids to consider this month. Enjoy!
November  (various dates): Learn to code with CodeCampKidz and write HTML, CSS & Javascript code at Microsoft Store in the Burlington Mall and Natick Mall. Intro classes free. (Grades 6, 7, 8)
November 1, 8, 15: Learn how to create and build robots with random materials at the Grove Hall Branch of the Boston Public Library. (Ages 6+)
November 2: Attend a robotics demonstration and learn about robots built from LEGO “Mindstorms” kits at the Burncoat Branch of the Worcester Public Library. (Ages 7+)
November 2: Explore and work with Scratch to create games, animation, and stories at the Newton Free Library. (Grades 3-4)
November 2, 9, 16, 30: Get a taste of programming and learn the fundamental components of Python, a programming language at the Central Library in Copley Square. (Teens)
November 2: Attend a tinkering and inventions class for seven weeks and incorporate building, electricity and unexpected materials to create a series of projects at the Mattapan Branch of the Boston Public Library. (Ages 9-12)
November 4: Attend a Python workshop at the Belmont Public Library. This is a great opportunity to get exposure if you have no programming experience or go deeper in the Python programming language if you already have some knowledge. (Age 12+)
November 4: It is Girls Day at the MIT Museum and the theme is Physics Matters. All hands-on activities, informal talks, and demonstrations are included with admission. (Recommended ages 10+)
November 4: The Boston chapter of Women in Transportation is hosting Transportation YOU in Boston, a hands-on, interactive, mentoring program that offers girls from ages 13-18 an introduction to a wide range of transportation careers. Free
November 4: Attend HackNEHS (Hack New England High Schools), a free hackathon for high school students being held in Burlington, MA. Registration required.
November 4, 5: Register now for Northeastern’s Waterfall program for high school students. Take a bunch of short classes on a huge variety of cool topics (STEM and more) at Northeastern. Free event
November 4, 8, 9, 13: Celebrate Women and Girls in STEM Month at the Museum of Science by attending inspiring events.
November 4, 11, 18: Attend STEM Saturday: Measuring Speed with HotWheels at Microsoft Store in the Natick Mall. Free (Ages 11-14)
November 5: Register now for Boston College’s Splash weekend for 7th-12th-grade students. Take a bunch of short classes on a huge variety of cool topics (STEM and more) at Boston College. Cost: $5.25
November 5: Join the Girl Scouts for MathMovesU at Massachusetts Maritime Academy, a day of hands-on learning with female engineers from Raytheon. Cost: $30
November 5, 11, 12, 18, 19, 25, 26: Hands-on engineering and design programs are offered by the MIT Museum in Cambridge. Free with Museum admission. (Ages 12+)
November 7: Attend a tinkering and inventions class for seven weeks and incorporate building, electricity and unexpected materials to create a series of projects at the Egleston Square Branch of the Boston Public Library. (Ages 8-13)
November 8: Attend a maker fair and vinyl sticker workshop with Travis from Technocopia to discover the wonders of DIY technology at the Burncoat Branch of the Worcester Public Library. Learn about all the different tools in a makerspace, including 3D printers, laser cutters, and vinyl sticker machines. (Ages 7+)
November 9: Attend a maker fair and vinyl sticker workshop with Travis from Technocopia to discover the wonders of DIY technology at the Goddard Branch of the Worcester Public Library. Learn about all the different tools in a makerspace, including 3D printers, laser cutters, and vinyl sticker machines. (Ages 7+)
November 11: Register now for Amherst’s Splash program for 6th-12-grade students. Take a bunch of short classes on a huge variety of cool topics (STEM and more) at Amherst. Cost: $10
November 11: Register now for Brandeis’s Splash program for 7th-12-grade students. Take a bunch of short classes on a huge variety of cool topics (STEM and more) at Brandeis. Free event
November 11: Learn how to make your own short stop-motion animated movie at the Thomas Crane Public Library in Quincy.
November 11, 12: Celebrate the maker movement at Barnes & Noble’s 3rd annual Mini Maker Faire at eight stores in MA. Free event
November 11, 12: Participate in CodeDay Boston, a nationwide event where student programmers, artists, musicians, actors, and everyone else can get together and build apps & games for 24 hours. Students of all skill levels are welcome.
November 14: Attend a maker fair and vinyl sticker workshop with Travis from Technocopia to discover the wonders of DIY technology at the Roosevelt Branch of the Worcester Public Library. Learn about all the different tools in a makerspace, including 3D printers, laser cutters, and vinyl sticker machines. (Ages 7+)
November 14, 21, 28: Cary Code Studio is a coding class for students at the Cary Memorial Library in Lexington. Use Scratch to build your digital portfolio- no prior coding experience necessary. (Grades 6-9)
November 15, 29: In a free two-hour coding workshop, students ages 8–12 will play in Minecraft while they learn how to code with Microsoft’s MakeCode platform at Microsoft Store in Burlington. Free
November 16: The Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics sponsors a program called “How to Hold a Dead Star in Your Hand” in Cambridge. Free event and open to the public.
November 16: Attend a maker fair and vinyl sticker workshop with Travis from Technocopia to discover the wonders of DIY technology at the Tatnuck Branch of the Worcester Public Library. Learn about all the different tools in a makerspace, including 3D printers, laser cutters, and vinyl sticker machines. (Ages 7+)
November 18, 19: Register now for MIT’s Splash weekend for high school students. Take a bunch of short classes on a huge variety of cool topics (STEM and more) at MIT. Cost: $40
November 18: See Brain Candy Live! at the Wang Theatre in Boston and be part of an interactive, hands-on experience. Use code STEM for 20% off tickets through 11/17/17.
November 19: Register now for Clark’s Splash program for 5th-12-grade students. Take a bunch of short classes on a huge variety of cool topics (STEM and more) at Clark. Free event
November 24: Get your tickets for MIT’s Friday After Thanksgiving (F.A.T.) Chain Reaction at the Rockwell Cage Gymnasium. Cost: $12.50 Adult, $5 Student
November 29: Master the basics of Ozobots robots at the Newton Free Library. (Grades 2-4)
