There are many ways to get your children involved in STEM-related activities.
April (various dates): Learn to code with CodeCampKidz and write HTML, CSS & Javascript code at the Microsoft Store in the Burlington Mall and Natick Mall. Intro classes free. (Grades 6, 7,8)
April 1: Learn how the internet works at Science on Saturday at MIT’s Kresge Auditorium in Cambridge. Free event for all ages.
April 1, 2, 8, 9, 15, 16, 20, 22, 23, 29, 30: Hands-on engineering and design at the MIT Museum in Cambridge. Free with Museum admission. (Ages 12+)
April 2: Attend a model rocket event at the Learning Express in Bedford. Free event for all ages.
April 3, 10: Learn to code with Scratch at the Cary Memorial Library in Lexington. (For teens)
April 3, 7, 24: Learn beginner science concepts with the help of books and fun activities at the Worcester Public Library. (Ages 3-5)
April 3, 10, 24: Put on a lab coat and enter the Maker Lab and create new things at the Worcester Public Library. (Ages 9-12)
April 4: Join the Natick High School Robotics team and check out their award winning robot, talk robotics, and enjoy the MakerLAB’s robots at the Morse Institute Library in Natick. (Ages 11-18)
April 4, 11, 25: Tinker, build, and experiment with different STEM-based, hands-on activities at the Worcester Public Library. (Ages 9-12)
April 7: Free admission to The Discovery Museums: Science in Acton.
April 8: Visit the STEM Expo where Wellesley High School will be transformed into an interactive science museum with exhibits, speakers and hands-on activities. Free and open to the public.
April 8: Imagine, discover, and explore a world that’s too small to see as the Museum of Science celebrates nanoscale and quantum science. Free with Exhibit Halls admission.
April 8: Join Keith Michael Johnson for a science presentation Science Is Not Always Pretty at the Thomas Crane Library in Quincy. (Ages 4+)
April 8: Attend a STEM conference for girls with 18 interactive workshops at Weymouth High School. Cost: $10 (Girls, grades 4-8)
April 8-16: Celebrate National Robotics Week by participating in an event around the state of MA.
April 12: Join the Northeast Regional Sign Making Party for the March for Science at Technocopia, a makerspace in Worcester.
April 12: Join Kimberly Kowal Arcand, visualization lead for NASA’s Chandra X-ray Observatory, as she explores the universe in different parts of the spectrum to find out how much we can learn about the cosmos at the Museum of Science. Free event. (Recommended grades 12+)
April 13: Attend a DigiGirlz Workshop and learn why computer science is important and hear inspiring presentations from real, local women in the industry at the Microsoft Store in Prudential Center, Boston. Free (Girls, ages 12-18)
April 13: Attend a DigiGirlz Workshop and learn why computer science is important and hear inspiring presentations from real, local women in the industry at the Microsoft Store in the Burlington Mall. Free (Girls, ages 12-18)
April 14: Join for stories, a spring craft, block play, file folder games featuring literacy concepts and other hands-on STEAM activities at the Hyde Park branch of the Boston Public Library.
April 14-23: The Cambridge Science Festival makes science accessible and fun with hundreds of events for curious people of all ages and there are activities all around MA!
April 14-23: Attend a variety of events celebrating STEM during the Cambridge Science Festival at the Museum of Science. Free with Exhibit Halls admission.
April 14: Design, build, and code a project during a full-day on Good Friday at NanoCamp at Empow Studios in Lexington. Cost: $95 (Grades 1-8)
April 15: Attend a DigiGirlz Workshop and learn why computer science is important and hear inspiring presentations from real, local women in the industry at the Microsoft Store in the Natick Mall. Free (Girls, ages 12-18)
April 15: Attend a casual, math-themed storytime at the Cary Memorial Library in Lexington. (Ages 3-5)
April 16: Join MITxMake for a one-day festival celebrating maker culture in Cambridge. Cost: $15 (adults) and $5 (18 and under)
April 17: Talk to real scientists and engineers and do the hands-on activities they’ve developed to showcase their work at the Science Discovery Museum in Acton. Free with admission.
April 17-21: Empow Studios Tech & Design Camp will be hosting camps during vacation week in Belmont, Lexington and Newton, where kids choose projects of their choice in video game design, animation, robotics, 3d modeling, and more. Cost: $335+ (Grades 1-8)
April 17-21: Einstein’s Workshop will be holding camps during vacation week in Burlington. Cost: $350 (Grades K-8)
April 18: Explore the science of weather, from wind and ocean currents to tornadoes and hurricanes at the Central Library in Copley Square.
April 18: Conduct indoor experiments to discover how the weather works at the Central Library in Copley Square. (Ages 8-13)
April 18-21: Learn about coastal ecosystems and create an inspiring marine-themed mosaic at Northeastern’s marine science and art program in Nahant. Cost: $280 (Grades 7-12)
April 19: Attend a hackathon about data science and study the data and write a Python program to analyze the data at the Belmont Public Library. (Ages 12-18)
April 19: Learn how to build structures and run simple games in Minecraft with the Raspberry Pi microcomputer and Python programming language at the Watertown Free Public Library. (Ages 11+)
April 19: Learn about weather instruments by building your own at the Central Library in Copley Square. (5-9)
April 19: Learn how kites have long been used by scientists to observe the weather and build your own at the Central Library in Copley Square. (Ages 7+)
April 19: Make a Lava Lamp and experience an amazing chemical reaction that starts with some molecules that will not mix together, then add a substance which will cause a visual surprise at the Faneuil branch of the Boston Public Library. (Ages 4-10)
April 20: Design and build your own wind-up robot to take home at the Grove Hall branch of the Boston Public Library.
April 20: Explore and work with Scratch to create games, animation and stories at the Newton Free Library. (Grades 3-4)
April 20: Learn how 3D printing works by designing your own three-dimensional creation at the Newton Free Library. (Grades 7-12)
April 20, 21: Learn how to make your own movie and you will produce, film, and edit your own short piece at the Watertown Free Public Library. (Ages 8+)
April 21: Explore the science behind the “magic” of several classic magic tricks at the Morse Institute Library in Natick.
April 21: With the help of a Museum educator and an intensely cold liquid, participants experience the remarkable changes in size, form, and behavior that occur when a variety of objects and substances are super-cooled at the Newton Free Library. (Grades K+)
April 22: Attend the South Shore Science Festival in Quincy and join in activities that will engage kids in a student science showcase and innovative science workshops. (Kids and teens)
April 22: Participate in the March for Science rally on the Boston Common and take part in kid-centric entertainment and science fun.
April 23: Participate in a variety of hands-on activities facilitated by local chemists as part of a national Earth Day celebration of chemistry at the Museum of Science. Free with Exhibit Halls admission. (Recommended PreK-8)
April 25: Explore Lego WeDo robotics at the Belmont Public Library. (Grades 2-4)
April 25: Participate in interactive science demonstrations featuring hands-on discovery stations at the Worcester Public Library. (Ages 3-6)
April 26: Discover how easy it is to make 3D models and then print your design with a Makerbot 3D printer at the Central Library in Copley Square.
April 27: Experience groundbreaking science and meet leading scientists, researchers, tinkerers and entrepreneurs at Acera School’s Spring Innovator Symposium in Winchester. Free and open to the public.
April 27: Explore science, technology, engineering, art, & math with an activity to encourage your curiosity at the Cary Memorial Library in Lexington. (Grades 4-6)
April 27: Learn how to use the library’s new telescope at the Cary Memorial Library in Lexington.
April 27: Explore math, science, and the arts with children’s books and related activities at the Newton Free Library. (Ages 3-5)
April 29: Build and modify Minecraft using Javascript programming language at the Honan-Allston branch of the Boston Public Library. (Ages 8-12)
April 30: Learn to build and program your own LEGO EV3 robot during a workshop at Empow Studios in Lexington that raises money for cancer care & research through the PMC. The full cost of ticket sales are donated to the Jimmy Fund & Dana-Farber. Cost: $30 (Grades 1-8)
Girls Who Code Clubs
The Girls Who Code Clubs Program teaches computer science to 6th-12th grade girls. Girls who participate in the clubs will receive 40 hours of instruction from volunteer instructors in computer science including project based activities to reinforce concepts like conditionals, lists, and loops as well as skills like mobile app development.
Girls Who Code Clubs are free and many are held at libraries and schools. With the growth of the clubs, I am now including a list of the clubs for Massachusetts here. New clubs are always being formed, so check here to see the most current list and search on your area. If you are interested in information, contact the Club site directly.
- Acton Boxborough Regional High School: Acton, MA
- Andover High School: 80 Shawsheen Ro., Andover, MA
- Arlington Catholic High School: 16 Medford St., Arlington, MA
- Bedford Free Public Library: 7 Mudge Way, Bedford, MA
- Bellesini Academy: 94 Bradford St., Lawrence, MA
- Belmont Public Library: 336 Concord Ave, Belmont, MA
- Bentley Academy Charter School: 25 Memorial Dr., Salem, MA
- Boston Latin School: 78 Avenue Louis Pasteur, Boston, MA
- Boston Public Library- Teen Central: 700 Boylston St., Boston, MA
- Boston Teachers Union Pilot School: 25 Walk Hill St., Jamaica Plain
- Boys & Girls Club of Fitchburg & Leominster: 365 Lindell Ave., Leominster, MA
- Bristol Plymouth RVTS: 207 Hart St., Taunton, MA
- Brookview House: 2 Brookview St., Dorchester, MA
- Cambridge Public Library: 449 Broadway, Cambridge, MA
- Cary Memorial Library: 1874 Massachusetts Ave, Lexington, MA
- Coakley Middle School: 1315 Washington St., Norwood, MA
- Concord Middle School: 835 Old Marlboro Road, Concord, MA
- Concord Free Public Library: 129 Main St., Concord, MA
- Dudley-Charlton Regional School: 70 Dudley-Oxford Rd., Dudley
- Endicott College: 376 Hale St., Beverly, MA
- Everett High School: 100 Elm St., Everett, MA
- Fuller Middle School: 31 Flagg Dr., Framingham, MA
- Girls Incorporated of Lynn: 50 High St., Lynn, MA
- Goodnow Library: 21 Concord Road, Sudbury, MA
- Grove Hall Branch of Boston Public Library: 41 Geneva Ave., Boston, Ma
- Irving Middle School: Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston: 15 Basiel St., Roslindale, MA
- J.G. Pyne Arts School: 145 Bolyston St., Lowell, MA
- Joseph A Browne Middle School: 180 Walnut St., Chelsea, MA
- KTByte Computer Science Academy: 4 Militia Dr., Lexington, Ma
- LEAP for Education, Inc.: 209 Essex St., Salem, MA
- Lexington Christian Academy: 48 Bartlett Ave., Lexington, MA
- Lowell High School: 50 Fr. Morissette Blvd., Lowell, Ma
- Mario Umana Academy: 312 Border St., East Boston, MA
- Match High School: 1001 Commonwealth Ave, Boston, MA
- Medfield High School: 88R South St., Medfield, MA
- Medway High School: 88 Summer St., Medway, MA
- Memorial Hall Library: 2 North Main St., Andover, MA
- McKay K-8 School: 122 Cottage St., Boston, MA
- Mildred Ave. K-8 School: 5 Mildred Ave., Boston, MA
- Milton Academy: 170 Central St., Milton, MA
- M.G. Parker Memorial Library: 28 Arlington St., Dracut, MA
- Nathaniel Bowditch School (K-8): 79 Wilson St., Salem, MA
- Needham High School: 609 Webster St., Needham, MA
- Needham Free Public Library: 1139 Highland Ave., Needham, MA
- Newton Free Library: 330 Homer St., Newton, MA
- Northeastern University: 440 Huntington Ave., Boston, MA
- Paul Pratt Memorial Library: 35 Ripley Road, Cohasset, MA
- Peabody Institute Library: 82 Main St., Peabody, MA
- Pembroke Public Library: 142 Center St., Pembroke, MA
- Penn Brook Elementary School: 68 Elm St., Georgetown, MA
- Phillips Academy: 180 Main St., Andover, MA
- Pierce Middle School: 451 Central Ave., Milton, MA
- Public Library of Brookline: 361 Washington St., Brookline, MA
- Reuben Hoar Library: 41 Shattuck St., Littleton, MA
- Robbins Library: 700 Massachusetts Ave., Arlington, MA
- Seekonk Public Library: 410 Newman Ave., Seekonk, Ma
- Solomon Schechter Day School of Greater Boston: 125 Wells Ave., Newton, MA
- The Rivers School: 333 Winter St., Weston, MA
- Waltham Public Library: 735 Main St., Waltham, MA
- Watertown Free Public Library: 123 Main St., Watertown, MA
- Watertown High School: 50 Columbia St., Watertown, MA
- Wayland Free Public Library: 5 Concord Road, Wayland, MA
- Wellesley Free Library: 530 Washington St., Wellesley, MA
- Winthrop Middle School: 60 Payson St., Winthrop, MA
- Worcester Polytechnic Institute: 100 Institute Rd., Worcester, MA
Image Source: Cambridge Science Festival
