Spring Session 2021: Engineering Machines

Description

Engineering Machines

DISCOVER your world! If energy is the ability to do work then what is work?  Investigate how work and energy are related. Discover how engineering is the practical application of science and mathematics used in our everyday lives to solve problems.

TEST your questions! Get hands-on with the six most common simple machines – inclined plane, wedge, screw, lever, pulley, and wheel-and-axle. These machines are designed to change the magnitude/direction of the force (work = force x distance), ultimately making the task easier to perform. Using scientific tools and a variety of materials your SW kid will design, build, and test each simple machine and investigate work, forces, Newtons, Joules, and the mechanical advantage of each machine. Test complex laws of motion that will make serious science seriously fun!

ANALYZE your results! Find the small moments of “ah-ha!” while analyzing graphs, tables, graphics, and lab demonstrations. Brainstorm, prototype, modify, test, redesign variations, and analyze your simple machine systems and determine how your machines meet and exceed each design criteria, as well as overcome design constraints.

CREATE your own simple machines and more! SW Kids will create the ultimate engineered machine using all 6 simple machines in their culminating ‘Show-What-You-Know’ Rube Goldberg Machine Challenge, using both high and low-tech tools such as CAD software, 3-D printing, laser-cutting, woodworking, and more! While making keen observations, asking insightful questions, and learning exciting new things, your STEAMwhiz Kid will also be creating and developing their growth mindset with the time and space to fail & succeed!

What we are doing now!!

Session details

What is it? A 10-week guided science course

• A 1 hr. weekly, in-person lab for 10-weeks from Apr. 12th – June 18th, that will stimulate your children to use their analytical and critical thinking
• Gather your Learning POD (3 or 4 friends of your choosing) and let STEAMwhiz do the rest!

Who is it for? Capitial District Kids

• Ages 7-15
• Homeschoolers, eLearners, & In-Person
• The STEAMwhiz Lab is located in Guilderland, NY.
• Parents are welcome to stay and access private lab streaming from the comfort of their car live on their mobile device from our parking drive, or take a much-needed break to run an errand or two.

Time Commitment? 1 hour each week for 10-weeks

• Together with your Learning POD, select your day and time above

Course Goals? In this series of hands-on, inquiry labs, students will be able to:

• Define work [as defined by physical science] and the mechanical advantages of six simple machines that make work easier
• Identify examples of simple machines in our everyday lives
• Discover, test, analyze, and create inclined planes, wedges, and screws, levers, pulleys, and wheel-and-axle
• Investigate and analyze work, forces, Newtons, Joules, and the mechanical advantage of each machine
• Calculate work [work = force x distance]
• Define, test, and explain Newton’s 3 Laws of Motion
• Introduction to compound machines including an examination of machine inventions and their place in our everyday lives
• Introduction to Rube Goldberg contraptions, known for making simple tasks more difficult to complete
• Develop analytically through data collection, analysis, and calculations
• Develop and grow creative problem-solving through the engineer design process and the ultimate engineered machine challenge

Instructors? The STEAM Team

STEAM-Team or DreamTeam? 😉 This lab is taught by STEAMwhiz’s lead educator Allie P. She is certified in K-6th education, published STEM education work in a peer-reviewed journal, and has over 15 years of classroom experience and curriculum development. The lab is overseen by STEAMwhiz’s scientist Dr. J who holds a Ph.D. in Engineering Sciences, has worked as a physicist at premier U.S. research institutions, as well as an engineer at fortune 500 companies, and authored over a dozen publications in top-tier journals. Together they are driven by their passion to empower students to develop their analytical and critical thinking, necessary to prepare them for the future.

COVID-19 Safety

At STEAMwhiz we are guided by the best-known science and follow the most conservative, best practices to ensure your children and our educators are safe.

Sick/Symptomatic Guidelines – any child that shows any symptoms that are related to, been in contact with, or contracted COVID-19 within the last 14 days should stay home. Related symptoms include but are not limited to: fever, runny nose, shortness/difficulty breathing, cough,  loss of taste or smell, nausea/vomiting, sore throat, diarrhea. If you have any doubt please contact us before bringing your child.

Temperature checks – all people entering the lab will be required to have their temperature taken via a non-contact infrared thermometer.

HVAC system – The STEAMwhiz lab has a dedicated air handler that is constantly filtering air 24hr a day and 7 days a week. The MERV filters being used are rated eleven or better and have been tested in our labs to remove particles down to 0.1 microns (similar to N95 masks).

Laboratory Decontamination – On top of the air being cleansed 24/7, the STEAMwhiz lab is decontaminated after every session. All hard surfaces are wiped down using a bleach solution and the lab is exposed to UVC radiation nightly.

Masks – Your child we be required to wear a mask within the STEAMwhiz lab.

Social distancing – There will be a maximum of 4 children per session in the lab and social distancing protocols will be followed.

Billing

Reserve your spot today and pay later! The first billing cycle starts on Apr. 12, 2021 and will be automatically billed on 5/12/2021 and 6/12/2021.