Can you program a robot to put out a fire? This is the question that is driving STEAMwhiz’s Winter Semester. Yes, this is an exciting & fun challenge but the main goal of this challenge is to develop creative problem-solvers by exploring the world through an analytical & critical thinking lens.
How is this accomplished?
Using “The Art of Problem-Solving” SW students are breaking down this large, complex problem into manageable, bite-size pieces. Through this process, students have been introduced to programming using Scratch– a coding language with a simple, block-style visual interface that allows anyone to create games, animation, digital stories with their own, unique instructions. SW students will gain important strategies for designing projects, solving problems, and communicating ideas, not a prescribed “recipe” to follow. Through their Scratch coding practices & challenges, they will learn how to apply these strategies to their own, ultimate, coded STEAMwhiz Fire Robotic Arm.
Keep Thinking & Doing @ Home
Keep that “thinking & doing” spark alive at home. Sign-up for a free Scratch account @ https://scratch.mit.edu/. Click the “create” button and make that cat do something. Try adding new sprites or backgrounds. What happens when you create a variable for your game? Feeling stuck? Click on the “Tutorials” tab and learn how to Animate a Character or Code a Cartoon. Remember to have fun! Mistakes will happen, errors are inevitable, but it’s how you respond to those challenges that matter. Fail forward into success!
Got a little ‘thinker & doer’ @ home? Download the Scratch Jr. app from Google Play or the Apple App Store. This is a great option for pre-readers ages 5-7 years old.
Doing “real science” doesn’t have to be boring or hard. Using inquiry-based project learning creates connections and understanding of abstract concepts. Challenge your leaner to build a ‘Cereal Ramp Energy System’; explore types of energy, laws of physics, and various forces, as well as recycle materials…Woo-hoo! If you have any questions or need a little help, don’t hesitate to message us on fb.com/STEAMwhizNY or STEAMwhiz.com
Materials
Empty cardboard boxes
Toy cars
Tape
Ruler / Measuring tape
Marker
Scissors
Let’s get building
Find some empty boxes. Cereal type boxes are great as they are easy to cut and work with.
Cut open one side of the box, starting at the open end.
On the side of the box measure the ramp height. We suggest around 5 – 20 centimeters.
Cut the box along the measured height.
Open up the box and you have a great ramp! Make more than one at different heights for the kids to explore with.
Questions
This is a great place to begin discussing potential and kinetic energy and forces such as gravity and friction.
The different ramp heights will be the variable in the experiment for them to explore.
Let them be creative!
Finally let them have fun! Give them lots of materials and let them have at it!
We are happy to announce STEAMwhiz Winter Session 2021: Energy is Everywhere will be starting the week of Jan. 18th!
With science guiding us, monitoring local metrics and statistics, and adhering to and exceeding local, regional, and national safety and health protocols, STEAMwhiz is ready to continue to offer invaluable, in-person labs and empower your NextGen Thinkers & Doers!
Calendar: Winter Session 2021
Jan. 18-22 All Winter Session Labs will begin
Feb. 15-19 February Recess: No Regular Scheduled Labs (Possible Make-up Labs)
March 29-Apr. 2 Final Week of Regular Scheduled Labs
Apr. 5-9 Possible Make-up Labs
STEAMwhiz’s Proactive COVID-19 Plan
Make-ups, Shutdowns, and Prorating
Winter Session 2021 has two-weeks built in exclusively for make-ups.
February Break Make-up
2nd week of April Make-up
We will work with you on a case-by-case basis to arrange the make-up times and days. In the unlikely chance we are not able to make up the day, we will prorate the days no questions asked =)
In the event of a shutdown, don’t worry we have a plan in place for that as well. We will offer a combination of live streaming and pre-recorded lab sessions with creative, multi-media content to keep our STEAMwhiz kids discovering, thinking, and creating at home, all while having fun with serious science. Hands-on materials will be checked out via contactless pick-up for these labs.
Lab Policy for Sick Children
Let’s face it, we are going to have sniffles, sneezing, etc. Normal, common-sense policies will apply. If your child is sick help them get better at home and don’t worry about the lab. We will make sure they make them up! Once they are recovered–masks, social distancing, handwashing, dedicated HVAC w/high-level filtration, nightly UV-C lab sanitation, hard-surface wipe downs, temperature checks, etc. will continue to keep the lab safe.
If your child is sick
If your child develops new symptoms here are our guidelines:
Let us know that your child is sick
Then do one of the following:
Wait the 10 day COVID-19 quarantine time prescribed by the CDC
— OR —
Have your child tested at a local COVID-19 test sites
In the event your child(ren)’s school, classroom, or building is placed on pre-cautionary quarantine, please contact us as soon as possible, adhere to the pre-cautionary quarantine regulations, and we will work with you to make-up any missed labs.
Together we can keep a safe environment for our kids to learn during these trying times.
Happy Hall-O-STEAM! Kids from the Capital District NY can get hands-on in our lab, learn LED science, and fabricate their own glowing 3D Printed pumpkin! Create a learning POD with up to 4 friends and RSVP today, Oct. 24th – Oct. 31st. Parents are encouraged to join and see the STEAMwhiz method in action! Ages 7-13.
Discover how STEAMwhiz makes serious science, seriously fun and empower your NextGen Thinker(s) to DISCOVER, TEST, ANAYLZE, AND CREATE.
HalloSTEAM Lab
Ready to have your kids get hands-on and learn about science and technology this Halloween?! Hall-O-STEAM by STEAMwhiz is ready to make serious science, seriously fun, and empower your NextGen Thinker(s) to DISCOVER, TEST, ANALYZE, and CREATE. Your children will explore Light-Emitting Diode technology, Computer-Aided Design, and 3D printing under the guidance of our STEAM-team experts to design, create, and take home their very own 3D Printed glowing pumpkins. Ages 7-13.
Any questions? Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us via Facebook or email us.
“You want to wake up in the morning and think the future is going to be great – and that’s what being a spacefaring civilization is all about. It’s about believing in the future and thinking that the future will be better than the past. And I can’t think of anything more exciting than going out there and being among the stars.” – Elon Musk
4 days ago history was made and it was awesome! SpaceX and NASA’S launch marked the start of the commercial crew era of U.S. human spaceflight and a return to American operated spacecraft. The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying NASA astronauts Robert Behnken and Douglas Hurley aboard SpaceX’s Crew Dragon spacecraft launched from Kennedy Space Center on May 30, 2020, and docked 19 hours later with the ISS. NASA’s SpaceX Demo-2 mission to the International Space Station is a critical final flight test of the SpaceX crew transportation system.
I can’t believe it has been almost 10 years since the last American space shuttle was launched. Launches were tracked, watched in school, celebrated accomplishments, or mourned losses. Space was my thing! When the book, Apollo 13 was released, my friend and I had a competition to see who could finish it the fastest. I don’t quite remember who won that competition, but I do remember dreaming of becoming an astronaut. Even though my life path was turned in a different direction, I never stopped being awed by the greatness of space, space flight, and space exploration. Maybe my love from space came from living a short drive from Cape Canaveral and being able to witness rockets shooting to the stars. But I believe it is something much simpler, ingrained in all humans, uniting humanity together; the spirit of exploration! And this launch revived that spirit in me.
NASA, America’s space program, will continue to work with commercial companies like SpaceX and Boeing to design, build, test, and operate cost-effective human transportation systems to low-Earth orbit and eventually beyond. While this is an important mission, this is not what brought on tears and goose-bumps as I watched SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket the Crew Dragon spacecraft safely to the ISS with my young children. It was being able to witness the spirit of humanity working together and creating a “future better than the past” for my children and my children’s children. While STEAMwhiz is not physically launching astronauts into space (hmmm…maybe one day!), we hope our philosophy to inspire a love of learning and doing by making keen observations, asking insightful questions, and learning exciting stuff, will keep humans among the stars. We and all humankind are ready for the ‘Next Giant Leap!’
You may be asking, why is STEAMwhiz, an educational hub for experiential science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematical adventures printing reusable mask respirator kits? If so, read more here. Looking for basic info on STEAMwhiz’s mask, make sure to watch the video below and read on…
Let’s go over the mask basics–
Performance
In our tests, the STEAMwhiz mask performed as good as a commercial N95 mask. Read more about about the test and performance of these masks and more in Dr. JP’s write up here.
Sizing
To help ensure proper fit, (3) sizes are available with kid sizing in the works inside the MakerLab. Thanks to the addition of the PE foam to obtain optimal seal and comfort, sizing is quite forgivable. My measurements indicate that I am a size (S). However, I am also able to wear a (M). So do not overstress over a few mm.
Sizing: Measure from the bottom of the chin to the bridge of the nose. Small ~ 100mm, Medium ~ 120mm, Large ~ 140mm
What’s Included
This is a reusable mask kit for personal protection. The kit includes (1) mask, (4) elastic straps, (1) harness w/strap adjusters, and multiple filter housings with the fitted filter medium. Made from lightweight PLA plastic, the mask and “X” harness are easy to clean, comfortable and provide an excellent seal. PE foam is used for an airtight seal and provides all-day comfort. Unlike the N95 masks, where the polypropylene filter fibers are in direct contact with your skin causing irritation, the PE foam will provide a nice cushioned seal without embedding fine fibers into your skin.
The mask kit includes the filter medium (95% 1 um particles), already installed in the removable filter housings, which provides the needed protection from sneezes and coughs. We have two options available to select from:
2 filter housings with filter medium cut and fitted for the occasional use –or–
5 filter housings with filter medium cut and fitted for the workweek
Assembly Instructions
Before using the masks, we suggest inserting an additional layer, such as a coffee filter or paper towel, behind the filter housing for extra protection from particles that may come loose over time from the polypropylene filter medium (the same material that irritates your skin from the N95 masks). Use the plastic filter housing as a template to cut your additional layers of protection. It does not need to be precise, a slight overhang is ideal in this case. Insert additional layer between mouth shield and removable plastic filter housing, that is fitted with the filter medium. Clear as mud? Check out STEAMwhiz’s Assembly and Mask Care Instructional video (coming soon).
Filter housings snap in place and are removable for added convenience. Install and use (1) filter housing throughout the day and replace it with a new filter housing the next day.
The last thing you want is uncomfortable protection. PPE needs to fit properly and be comfortable enough to wear for the duration of your task or day. PPE that strains your ears, irritates your skin, and constantly needs adjusting will not provide you proper protection. That is why STEAMwhiz’s 3D-Printed Mask is fitted with comfortable PE foam and an adjustable “X” harness.
The final step in assembling your STEAMwhiz mask is to adjust the elastic strap length using the strap adjusters on the 3D-printed harness to ensure a snug seal. Multiple holes are provided for each elastic strap to ensure the optimal fit. Just say “No” to ear-fatigue!
Mask Care and Cleaning:
Clean the mask/harness by removing the filter housing with filter medium and spraying/wiping it with any common disinfectant. DO NOT spray down filter medium, as this could cause a premature break down of fibers. Here at STEAMwhiz our go-to disinfectant is an easy to make bleach/water solution. Each day we mix up 16 oz. of water with 2 teaspoons of bleach in a reusable spray bottle. This bottle is used throughout the day on surfaces, packages, masks, and any other items that can be safely disinfected with bleach.
Here are the guidelines to make a bleach/water solution recommended by the CDC:
Unexpired household bleach will be effective against coronaviruses when properly diluted. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for application and proper ventilation. Never mix household bleach with ammonia or any other cleanser. Leave the solution on the surface for at least 1 minute. To make a bleach solution, mix:
5 tablespoons (1/3rd cup) bleach per gallon of water OR
4 teaspoons bleach per quart of water
Bleach solutions will be effective for disinfection up to 24 hours
Allow used filter housing to sit in a breathable bag, such as a paper bag, for a few days before using it again. Cycle through the other filter housings throughout the work week or whenever a mask is needed. Each day put used filter housing into a new breathable bag. Write the date to help keep this process organized. Remember DO NOT spray filter medium with disinfectant.
Note: We do not recommend using steam as this could deform the mask as temperatures approach 60C.
“Nice face mask! Where did you get it?” asks a grocery associate to my dad. He proudly responds, “My daughter made it for me on a 3D printer.” Grocery associate says, “Very cool!” My dad’s response sums up this post nicely, “Yeah…as far as face masks go (queue head-shaking).” So if you gotta wear a mask, might as well wear the coolest one!
Here we are at the start– A physicist and an educator brainstorming awesome ways we can reach and inspire all ‘STEAMist’; present and future, young and old, through MakerLab spaces and workshops, then queue world pandemic of Covid-19. Businesses and schools are closed, gatherings canceled, extra-curricular classes can no longer meet; you can’t even go to the grocery store without worrying about how to protect yourself and loved ones. So you might be asking, why is STEAMwhiz, an educational hub for experiential science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematical adventures printing reusable mask respirator kits? And if you are…we are elated, as that is one of the first steps in becoming a ‘STEAMwhiz-er’, make keen observations, ask insightful questions, and learn exciting stuff. And that is exactly what we did here at STEAMwhiz (we like to practice what we preach).
Make Keen Observations
A problem was identified. As the world scientific community continues to study the novel coronavirus, COVID-19, we know that a significant portion of individuals with coronavirus are asymptomatic and that even those who are pre-symptomatic can transmit the virus to others before showing symptoms. This means that the virus can spread between people interacting in close proximity—such as, speaking, coughing, or sneezing—without even knowing it! In light of this new evidence, CDC recommends wearing cloth face coverings in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain (i.e., grocery stores and pharmacies).
Ask Insightful Questions
But are cloth face coverings enough? Are they reliable and comfortable enough to be used all day, everyday? Are our elder parents protected enough? Surgical masks and N-95 respirators must be preserved for healthcare workers and other medical first responders, so how do “we,” the general public help flatten the curve, protect our families and communities, and re-open businesses and educational facilities? And do these questions align with the STEAMwhiz mission “to inspire the next-gen “STEAMist”? That is a resounding YES! We inspire by making and doing! We powered up our 3D printer, designed a mask with a replaceable filter cartridge, bought some elastic (who knew elastic and toilet paper were going to be the hot items of 2020), assembled and shipped them to our family (thanks for being our guinea pigs!). And we are now ready to offer them to you and your loved ones. For every one purchased, we will be donating 3D-printed PPE to an essential worker or first responder in need.
Learn Exciting stuff
Our resident research scientist, Dr. JP, was also ready to take on the challenge of learning exciting stuff. Dr. JP designed an experiment to test the efficiency of different filtering masks. Scientific papers were read, tools were ordered, and measurements were taken.Read his post here on the exciting world of testing mask and filter science. Learning new stuff is awesome…but you know what’s even more awesome? Using that knowledge to help solve a problem. And that is what we did here at STEAMwhiz…we made keen observations, asked insightful questions, learned exciting stuff, and now we want to share that knowledge with YOU!
Join the Waitlist!We always strive to serve our students by opening new classes, shifting times, etc. The Waitlist is first come, first serve. (We do not sell or use your information for anything other than STEAMwhiz. Unsubscribe at any time!)
