STEM Extravaganza

This February, Girlstart hosted a Valentine’s Day-themed STEM Extravaganza event at the Girlstart STEM Center in Austin, TX. We had 17 volunteers come out and help make this community event a success.

Volunteers led hands-on activity booths, such as designing heart-shaped bubble wands, constructing a gummy heart dome, and creating an LED valentine. Throughout the event, attendees were able to learn about how those activities could translate into actual careers in STEM!

We are so grateful for the time and effort our volunteers put into this event! With their help, Girlstart continues to further our mission of increasing young girls’ interest in STEM!

Sign up to volunteer at our next event HERE.

Thank you Unrivaled Group!

On MLK Day 2023, Unrivaled Group joined us at the Girlstart Austin office to help with outdoor cleanup. Volunteers helped to clean and organize two of Girlstart’s outside storage sheds, power washed our picnic tables, and prepped materials for our upcoming Community STEM events. Our outside space looks incredible thanks to the laborious efforts of the Unrivaled Group volunteers.

We want to thank you for all of your support, and in the spirit of a servant leader, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., ask you to reflect on his wise words, “Everybody can be great…because anybody can serve”.

Sign up to volunteer at Girlstart HERE.

Activities for the week of December 1st – 4th

We are so excited for our first week of DeSTEMber! 

Activities for the week of December 1st – 4th:

12.01 Graphite Circuit

12.02 Seed Germinator

12.03 EcoTarium

12.04 Moon Observation Saturday: Moon Phases

12.01 – Graphite Circuit 

  • 9V battery
  • Graphite pencil
  • 5mm LED
  • Ruler
  • Sheet of paper
  • Tape

12.02 – Seed Germinator

  • Bean seeds (lima, pinto, or mung beans work best)
  • Paper towels
  • Sandwich-size plastic zipper bag
  • Tape
  • Water

12.03 – EcoTarium – Incredible Cabbage Colors

  • Cabbage juice (1 liter – see activity for instructions)
  • 5 or more clear glasses
  • Household liquids including:
    • Baking soda solution (teaspoon of baking soda in 8 oz. water)
    • Bleach (*with an adult’s help)
    • Clear lemon-lime soda
    • Dish soap
    • Lemon juice
    • Vinegar
    • Washing soda solution (teaspoon dissolved in 8 oz. water)
    • Window cleaner (*with an adult’s help)

12.04 – Moon Observation Saturday: Moon Phases

  • Moon Observation Journal (attached to activity)
  • Pen, pencil, or markers

Don’t forget to use AmazonSmile if you’re shopping online, a percent of your purchase will go to Girlstart when you use AmazonSmile!

Activities for December 26th – 31st

We are so excited for our final week of DeSTEMber!

Activities for the week of December 26th – 31st 

12.26 Citizen Science Sunday: Globe at Night

12.27 Light Pollution

12.28 SciGirls

12.29 Rubber Band Helicopter

12.30 Byrd Polar and Climate Research Center

12.31 Dream Big!

12.26 – Citizen Science Sunday: Globe at Night

 

12.27 – Light Pollution

  • Aluminum foil (6-inch square)
  • Felt or fabric (6-inch square)
  • Flashlight
  • Scissors
  • Tape
  • Tissue paper (6-inch square)

12.28 – SciGirls

  • Opaque items (construction paper, cardboard, aluminum foil, cotton balls) 
  • Translucent items (wax paper, frosted contact paper, tracing paper, parchment paper, tissue paper)
  • Transparent items (cellophane, drinking glass or glass jar, bottle full of water)

12.29 – Rubber Band Helicopter

  • Craft stick
  • Craft stick propeller (fits onto end of craft stick and has a rubber band hook)
  • Notecard
  • Paperclip
  • Pencil
  • Rubber band (size #64 works best)
  • Scissors
  • Tape

12.30 – Byrd Polar and Climate Research Center – Thermal Energy Design Challenge

  • Aluminum Foil
  • Black Paper
  • Cardboard*
  • 1/2 Cup of Frozen Water in a Ziploc Bag*
  • Fleece
  • Napkin*
  • Newspaper
  • Packing Tape*
  • Plastic Baggie*
  • Styrofoam
  • White Paper*

*OR: use the underlined materials plus 3-5 items from your recycling bin

12.31 – Dream Big!

  • Cardstock or poster board
  • Colored pencils or markers