Camp STEAM

12/16/2021

If you give a Steamster some cardboard (and we mean A LOT of cardboard)…they will probably BUILD A CITY!!! This session of After School STEAM we went in with an idea that turned out to be bigger than our idea even started out with!⁣
⁣
Starting with a list of what a working city needs - transportation, utilities, residential areas, government buildings, industrial quarters, recreational activities, public spaces, safety, businesses, food - the students shouted out ideas: police station, airport, library, school, houses, parks, restaurants, a NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory (😆), zoos, a water tower, water park, theme park, rock climbing, a basketball court, sushi restaurant, pet shop, beach huts, In ‘n Out, a hotel, a skyscraper, a cemetery - the list was looooooong. ⁣
⁣
After choosing their plots of land and drawing out plans, the kids got to work cutting and taping and reinforcing structures; after making signage and billboards and accessories and street lamps and stop lights and crosswalks - they laid out their makings of a city. ⁣
⁣
Steamville was officially founded on December 14, 2021. ⁣
Population: 25 amazingly innovative and creative Steamsters that we are so honored to work with, learn from, and watch light up with pride as they see their visions come to life.
⁣
⁣
⁣
⁣
⁣
⁣

07/09/2020

I'm putting this one on the project list for next year's IRL camp!

07/08/2020

How fun is this ENGINEERING CHALLENGE FOR KIDS?

06/25/2020

We love sensory bins!!! They are wonderful to set up during summertime!

A sensory bin is by far one of the easiest ways to keep young kids occupied! I found this empty bin in our house and filled it with different colored water, scented glitter gel, measuring cups, and some toys. My kids were literally playing for hours!

It’s easy to get intimidated by all of the elaborate, beautifully-themed sensory bins we see all over Pinterest, but there truly is no wrong way to make one! You just need a bin, some type of filler (water, rice, beans, sand, playdough), and tools or toys to play with. Although themes can be super fun, they aren’t at all a requirement.

The whole point of a sensory bin is to engage your little one’s senses. Let them play with different textures, sizes, colors, smells, and even tastes if it’s safe. While they explore, they’re improving their fine motor skills, expanding their creativity, and learning to think scientifically. It’s also a great chance to discuss what they’re experiencing and work on communication skills.

The hope is that the bin will contain any messes, but don’t stress if there’s a little spillage. Honestly, just don’t overthink it and let your kids have a good time!

https://thecinnamonmom.com/sensory-bin/

06/10/2020

Camp STEAM is supporting to address to the racial inequities in the STEM community and academia and to make personal plans to do something about it! Read more about this effort and get action ideas HERE: https://www.shutdownstem.com/resources

06/09/2020

For all of you with littles at home and needing to find activity ideas for the summer ahead here are some fabulous accounts to inspire you!

20+ BLACK MOMS TO FOLLOW ON INSTAGRAM WHO SHARE KIDS' ACTIVITIES

**know someone who should be on this list? leave their instagram handle below**

https://happytoddlerplaytime.com/16-black-activity-moms-to-follow-on-instagram/

06/05/2020

Required reading for all of us ❤️👇

Throughout history, books have played an important part in the exploration of new ideas, enacting change, and bringing forth social justice.

05/30/2020

PACKING PEANUT SCULPTURES

Based on the work of artist Jane Fogarty, these sculptures use biodegradable packing peanuts, oil pastels for color, and a recycled yogurt container as the base!

https://www.instagram.com/p/B9r7TGuhIad/?igshid=h8my8s7jdxy4

05/30/2020

Magic Mirror Art!

The 𝗠 in STEAM doesn’t stand for magical, but we at happen to think that Math can be magical AND mesmerizing!⁣
⁣
Taking the concepts of geometry, multiplication, angles, and symmetry, and pairing them with the science of reflection, this activity is certain to give you the 𝘰𝘰𝘩𝘴 & 𝘢𝘢𝘩𝘴. ⁣
⁣
https://babbledabbledo.com/magic-mirrors-how-to-make-reflection-art/

05/28/2020

SPIN ART GOES⚡️ELECTRIC ⚡️⁣
⁣
During our Retro STEAM series of , we took spin art out of the salad spinner and into the world of electronics!⁣
⁣
Each student built their own spin art machine from scratch, using battery packs, a motor, plastic lids, and corks. White cardboard coasters were perfect as our canvas, with markers as our medium. ⁣
⁣
Once assembled, we gathered the electric spin art machines and attached them to a pegboard for use at our school festival. We’re not sure how many spin art creations were made that day, (it was a lot!) but the look on the faces of our Steamsters when they saw their machines in action made us dizzy with pride!
⁣
𝘚𝘱𝘪𝘯 over to our stories for a closer look!⁣
⁣
⁣

05/27/2020

Do you smell that?! It’s a Steamster Scent Lab!!⁣
⁣
Every change of the leaves gives us a new opportunity to experiment with the scents of the season. Gather fresh herbs & spices, citrus rind, a few jars, water, pipettes, and perhaps if you’re feeling 𝗲𝘅𝘁𝗿𝗮 daring - some green onion & garlic - on a tray and allow your olfactory receptors do the work!⁣
⁣
When we did this with our students we couldn’t believe our noses, especially when they challenged each other to come up with the sweetest - and stinkiest - potions. ⁣
⁣