Do you think you can create a device that carries a marble down a zip line to land on a target? In this fun challenge, learn about potential and kinetic energy and how they can help you get your marble on the target. Does the angle of the zip line affect the speed? Can you land your marble in the same place twice? Try out different designs in this hands-on experiment to create the fastest, most accurate vehicle possible.
Click here for a DeSTEMber activity!
Activities for the week of December 1st-6th 2015
We are very excited for our first week of DeSTEMber!
Each Saturday we will post the materials list for the upcoming week:
12.01 – On Target
12.02 – Heavy Lifting
12.03 – Amazing Birds
12.04 – Cooking Conversions
12.05 – Bristlebots
12.06 – Miner Rescue
12.06 – DeSTEMber Fest @ the Bullock Museum from 12:00-3:00pm (visit our website for more information here)
12.01 – On Target
1 yard smooth twine (fishing line or kite string)
Target zone handout (provided with activity)
3 paper cups
6 index notecards
15 paperclips
1 marble
Masking tape
Scissors
12.02 – Heavy Lifting
Cardboard box (shoebox size or bigger)
3 strips of corrugated cardboard (2″x11″ or 5cm x 28cm per strip)
Paperclips
Large plastic cup
3 sharpened pencils
Spool
Scissors
Smooth string (e.g. fishing line or kite string)
Ruler
Scotch tape
Weights (e.g. batteries, pennies, marbles, or gravel)
12.03 – Amazing Birds
Scissors
3 small binder clips
Stopwatch
Measuring tape
Wing model for each bird (provided with activity):
Turkey Vulture
Wandering Albatross
Peregrine Falcon
For airplane design:
Cardstock or construction paper
Straw
Scotch tape
12.04 – Cooking Conversions
2 mixing bowls
Baking sheet
Measuring cups and spoons
Spoons (for stirring)
Ingredients:
32 Tbls of flour
1 tsp of baking soda
16 Tbls of butter (softened)
16 Tbls of brown sugar
1 package (3.9 oz.) JELL-O chocolate instant pudding
2 eggs
6 oz. of BAKER’S white chocolate, chopped
12.05 – Bristlebots
Copy paper
Cardstock
Construction paper
Markers and/or crayons
Scotch tape
1 bristlebot kit (can be purchased here) OR purchase the following materials separately:
1 micro vibration motor (can be purchased here)
1 lithium battery (1-3 volts)
1 toothbrush with bristles set at an angle
Wire strippers
Electrical tape
Googly eyes
Pipe cleaners
12.06 – Miner Rescue
1 ping-pong/table tennis ball
1 paper tube that is 6-inches long with at least a 2-inch diameter (e.g. toilet paper tube or yardstick rolled and taped)
6 pipe cleaners
6 straws
6 craft sticks
6 rubber bands
1 3.5 oz. paper cup
String
Masking tape
Scissors
12.06 – DeSTEMber Fest @ Bullock from 12:00pm-3:00pm
Come join us for free, fun, winter-themed science activities at the Bullock Museum! Find out more information on our website here.
2015 STEM Video Competition Winners
Every day a light goes on in a young person’s head as they grasp new concepts in science, mathematics, engineering and technology (STEM), all because an afterschool or summer learning program has created a hands-on experience where interests are sparked and passions are fueled. Through support from the Noyce Foundation and the C.S. Mott Foundation, we are pleased to announce we are one of the winners of the 2015 STEM Uncovered: Telling Our Afterschool Stories video competition.
Girlstart is one of six winners from across the country highlighted for their work in supporting innovative activities and helping their students in identifying with STEM careers. Other winners include the ACE Youth Project (CT), First Robotics Team 4057 (OR), Graduation Generation Zero Robotics (GA), Dimension Learning (NY), and Princeton YWCA (NJ).
“It was a unique opportunity for afterschool and summer programs to tell us the stories about the difference they are making for kids and their organizations,” said Ron Ottinger, Executive Director of the Noyce Foundation. “Their innovative efforts are sparking kids’ STEM interests and inspiring more youth to consider careers in these fields.”
By the year 2020, almost two thirds of jobs will require postsecondary education or training, with nearly 80 percent of careers requiring some STEM skills. Not only does STEM programming help kids to develop the skills necessary to be successful for a 21st century workforce, but STEM-focused afterschool programs also engage students who have been otherwise turned off by education.
STEM programs are like charging stations that power up kids’ learning. These six winning videos shine a spotlight on the great work that is happening in the STEM field and sharing how their program is uncovering STEM learning and inspiring kids to build, create, explore and dream.
“We’re proud to be selected as one of the Noyce Foundation and C.S. Mott Foundation’s video competition winners,” said Girlstart deputy director Julie Shannan. “Preparing the video gave us the chance to reflect on how engaged Girlstart girls are in our summer camp programs and in how much fun they have while they’re learning, which we believe comes through in the video. It was also rewarding to feature young women who have moved on to STEM studies in college after being inspired by what they learned and experienced through Girlstart.”
Visit stemvideocompetition.org to learn about the competition and view the winning videos. For more information about Girlstart, visit the program’s official website, www.girlstart.org.
Runi Duvall participated in the inaugural Girlstart program in 1997 and went on to earn a Bachelors Degree in Civil Engineering and a Masters degree in Construction Engineering and Project Management from The University of Texas at Austin. She has since spent nine years working in the construction industry and co-authored five journal articles promoting knowledge sharing and effective management practices on construction sites. Runi is a Senior Construction Manager for Hanger, Inc., the nation’s leading provider of orthotic and prosthetic patient care and rehabilitative solutions.
