“Play is often talked about as if it were a relief from serious learning. But for children, play is serious learning. At various times, play is a way to cope with life and to prepare for adulthood. Playing is a way to solve problems and to express feelings. In fact, play is the real work…
Engineering
New STEM Programs For You
Like many of today's young whippersnappers, for a time my kids hoped to make it big as professional YouTubers. During that phase, their favorite activity involved planning and recording videos around their unique cooking theme "Gross to Good." The idea was just like it sounds, except for the "good" part.
STEAM Saturday: 3-D Printing for Kids
3-D Printing is available again at the Mount Prospect Public Library and kids can submit print files to be printed. For kids to print, permission is required by a parent or guardian. How Does 3-D Printing Work at MPPL (Condensed Version): Design your 3-D print and save it as an .stl file. Go to the 3-D Printing…
Maker Monday: Build a Braced Tower
Photo of John Hancock Center by Drew Hays on Unsplash February's STEAM at Home program featured Awesome Architecture and fun building activities. We learned that x-bracing (seen here on the John Hancock Center in Chicago) is one way that helps keep buildings straight and tall when wind blows on them. X-braces and shear walls collect wind forces and carry them to the foundation. Build your own braced tower at home…
Harper College Experience Day
Do you know what you want to be when you grow up? Harper College is having a month-long event to give students of all ages interactive and fun learning opportunities. Maybe this will give you some ideas about what you'd like to study! Each Wednesday in October, a new activity will be posted and is…
Maker Monday: Enchanted Engineering
Who knew that reading fairy tales could lead to engineering experiments? Last month at our Zoom STEAM at Home event, we led kids through these fun building activities that were inspired by fairy tales. These projects are easy to do with stuff you probably already have around the house. Robin Hood's Bow and Arrow Supplies:…
Maker Monday: Straw Bridges
Try making a bridge from common items and learn about what shapes work best with this project from the Museum of Science + Industry. https://youtu.be/GA93aHRDMD8 Materials 35 non-bendy straws Clear tape Scissors Meter stick or yardstick 200 to 300 pennies Small cup Pencil Paper Two chairs or tables Directions Build your bridge using only straws…
Maker Monday: Create Your Own City
Image by Foster + Partners Be the engineer and architect of your very own paper city with activities from architecture studio Foster + Partners. Download and print templates to create your own skyscrapers, houses, and more. Color them and add details to give your city your own special flair. Young makers are encouraged to share…
