Pre-K – 2nd Grade

Binary Code Bracelets

How do computers work? In this activity, students will learn about binary code and how to write their names in binary code via beads on a bracelet. Computers use binary code to transmit and send information. Each character is represented by its unique byte when working with letters, numbers, and symbols. For example, the letter "A" represents the byte "0100 0001." This code is all based on a system known as ASCII (as-kee), which stands for American Standard Code for Information Interchange. ASCII was developed in the 1960s to standardize the way that computers communicate. Each character you see on your keyboard has its designated byte represented by ASCII.

Doodle Noodle Robot

Students will learn how waves, which are regular motion patterns, can be seen. Students will create a robot using a piece of pool noodle, markers, rubber bands, eyes, pipe cleaners, and other decorating materials. Once the robot is created, a battery-operated toothbrush will be placed in the middle of the noodle and turned on. It will cause the robot to vibrate, and the markers will draw a picture. Students will keep the robots and drawing but return the toothbrush.

Structures & Building with Sponges

In this activity, students can learn about balance, force, and motion through building structures with sponge blocks.

3rd – 5th Grade

Binary Code Bracelets

How do computers work? In this activity, students will learn about binary code and how to write their names in binary code via beads on a bracelet. Computers use binary code to transmit and send information. Each character is represented by its unique byte when working with letters, numbers, and symbols. For example, the letter "A" represents the byte "0100 0001." This code is all based on a system known as ASCII (as-kee), which stands for American Standard Code for Information Interchange. ASCII was developed in the 1960s to standardize the way that computers communicate. Each character you see on your keyboard has its designated byte represented by ASCII.

Rube Goldberg Machine

A Rube Goldberg Machine, named after the American Cartoonist Rube Goldberg, is a chain reaction machine designed to perform a simple task. It is a fun way to teach kids the fundamentals of STEM through problem-solving build activities, project-based learning, and the engineering design process. Examples would be using materials to roll a marble into a cup from a distance.

6th – 8th Grade

Fingerprinting Forensics

Students will dive into a hands-on activity of criminology. At crime scenes, investigators collect physical evidence to tie a suspect to a crime scene. Physical evidence is any material at the scene that provides information about the crime. Impressions such as shoe prints, tool marks, tire marks, and fingerprints can be valuable clues. A good investigator knows how to spot physical evidence at the scene, preserve it, and transport it to the lab.

Rockets to the Rescue

This is a multi-lesson activity. The activity organizer can choose one, two, or all activities based on the student size. Activities include stomp rockets, paper rockets, and lunar rovers. The activities center around the fundamentals of aerospace engineering. In one of the lessons, students will create a rocket with a nosecone, body, and fins. They will place their rocket on the PVC rocket launcher and use the bike pump to launch it.

Participants will keep the rocket that they designed.

Rube Goldberg Machine

A Rube Goldberg Machine, named after the American Cartoonist Rube Goldberg, is a chain reaction machine designed to perform a simple task. It is a fun way to teach kids the fundamentals of STEM through problem-solving build activities, project-based learning, and the engineering design process. Examples would be using materials to roll a marble into a cup from a distance.

Snap Circuits

Students will be introduced to the basic properties of electricity and electronics. They will learn the fundamentals behind circuitry and how circuits are used in all the technological devices we use today. Students can create circuits of various functionalities, such as shining a light bulb, spinning a motor, or both. They can manipulate these circuits and create their own circuits using the components provided in the snap circuit kit.

9th – 12th Grade

Fingerprinting Forensics

Students will dive into a hands-on activity of criminology. At crime scenes, investigators collect physical evidence to tie a suspect to a crime scene. Physical evidence is any material at the scene that provides information about the crime. Impressions such as shoe prints, tool marks, tire marks, and fingerprints can be valuable clues. A good investigator knows how to spot physical evidence at the scene, preserve it, and transport it to the lab.

Rockets to the Rescue

This is a multi-lesson activity. The activity organizer can choose one, two, or all activities based on the student size. Activities include stomp rockets, paper rockets, and lunar rovers. The activities center around the fundamentals of aerospace engineering. In one of the lessons, students will create a rocket with a nosecone, body, and fins. They will place their rocket on the PVC rocket launcher and use the bike pump to launch it.

Participants will keep the rocket that they designed.

Rube Goldberg Machine

A Rube Goldberg Machine, named after the American Cartoonist Rube Goldberg, is a chain reaction machine designed to perform a simple task. It is a fun way to teach kids the fundamentals of STEM through problem-solving build activities, project-based learning, and the engineering design process. Examples would be using materials to roll a marble into a cup from a distance.

Snap Circuits

Students will be introduced to the basic properties of electricity and electronics. They will learn the fundamentals behind circuitry and how circuits are used in all the technological devices we use today. Students can create circuits of various functionalities, such as shining a light bulb, spinning a motor, or both. They can manipulate these circuits and create their own circuits using the components provided in the snap circuit kit.