Friday, April 19, 2024

Educational Fall Programming is Full STEAM Ahead!

School is back in session, and it’s time for the kiddos to return to a learning mindset. Kids that can’t get enough science subjects in school are in luck because our Fall programming roster is full STEAM ahead!

The need for STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics) professionals is growing. The best time to get kids interested in STEAM professions is when they are young. Early exposure to STEAM fields prepares students for successful careers. In addition, it encourages curiosity, increases problem-solving skills, and introduces project-based learning. Our world-class programming staff carefully curated a Fall schedule full of STEAM program opportunities to supplement what they learn in the classroom in a fun and engaging way.

Here are some of the incredible STEAM programs available this Fall:

  •  iCode Tech Club- Coding, Game Development & Robotics
  • Super Hero vs. Super Villain Science
  • Bubble Smoke & Crazy Chemworks
  • Mad Machines & 3D Inventions
  • Responsive Robotics with Cubelets
  • Bot Builders with Cubelets
  • STEAM Lab- Minecraft Epic-Workshop
  • STEAM Lab- Scientists- Workshop
  • STEAM Lab- Amusement Park Engineering- Workshop
  • STEAM Lab- Brick Art + Designing with Machines- Workshop
  • Kinderbots
  • Mining & Building Epic
  • Mining & Building- Mini Camp
  • Animation Studio- Minecraft Themed- Mini Camp
  • Mega Machines Robotics- Camp
  • Brick City & Transportation
  • Pokemania- Camp
  • Atoms, Molecules & Matter
  • Chemical Reactions & Explosions
  • Cells & the Life Cycle
  • Water & Its Properties

With so many mind-expanding programs to choose from, your kiddo will discover a newfound love for STEAM! Learn more about each of these classes and register here.

It’s Not Too Late to Register for Spring Break Camps at Champions Club!

Spring Break is right around the corner, but it’s not too late to register your kiddos for some incredible camp programs!

Spring Break is the perfect time to sharpen your kids’ extracurricular skills. Champions Club has three unique week-long day camps to keep your little ones learning and playing from March 14-17!

DJ School- Spring Break Camp
This camp is ideal for those who are musically inclined and tech-savvy! Participants will learn the basics of being a DJ, including beat matching, mixing, and blending on professional DJ equipment. This camp is held Monday-Thursday from 1:00 PM-4:00 PM at Champions Club All Star rooms 1 and 2. Register here!

Spring Break Dodgeball Camp
There’s no better gym game than Dodgeball! This ultra-popular program teaches several versions of Dodgeball. The emphasis of this camp is on fun, teamwork, and exercise! Kids six to 12 years old will be divided into teams based on ages and use new coated foam balls. Join us Monday- Thursday from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM at the Champions Club Fieldhouse. Register here.

Superhero vs. Super Villain Science Camp
Calling all future scientists! Our superhero vs. Super Villain Science Camp is ideal for curious kiddos with a passion for learning and finding solutions. Scientists-in-training will learn the basics of using science to become a superhero as we combine elementary science experiments with creative applications! Supplies are included! Join us Monday-Thursday from 9:00 AM- 12:00 PM at the Champions Club All Star 1 and 2 classrooms. Register here!

Southlake STEAM Summer Camps

The City of Southlake Parks and Recreation is offering a variety of youth summer camps that focus on the concepts of science, technology, engineering, art and math. These hands-on, project-based camps are geared to intrigue and fire up the curiosity of kids ages 5-14.

Everything Chocolate (Ages 6-12): In this class, you will become skilled in making and decoration chocolates. You will create and decorate filled chocolates, dipped chocolates and dropped chocolates. You will create edible art pieces, including peanut butter cups, coconut haystacks, peanut drops, chocolate sculptures, flavored chocolates, bon bons, petit fours and much, much more.

Fashion Diva (Ages 6-12): Are you a fashion diva?  Then this is the class for you!  Projects include glitzy flower hair clips, bottle cap necklaces, bead-embellished scarves, tie-dye bandanna and a jewelry box

Adventures in Art Camp (Ages 6-13): In this four day workshop, young artists learn to create eight masterpieces using five different painting mediums; oil pastels, watercolor, heavy acrylic, light acrylic and charcoal. All while learning fine art principles and color theory. Subjects include land and seascapes, still life’s, florals and animals. All supplies furnished. Wear an old t-shirt and bring paper towels and a snack.

Jedi Engineering Using LEGO (Ages 5-7): The Force Awakens in this introductory engineering course for young Jedi! Explore engineering principles by designing and building projects such as LEGO® X-Wings, R2 Units, Energy Catapults, Defense Turrets and Settlements from a galaxy far, far away. Create motorized and architectural projects with imagination and engineering to defeat the Empire!

JediMaster Engineering with LEGO (Ages 8-12): The Force Awakens in this advanced engineering course for young Jedi! Discover key engineering concepts such as gear trains, worm drives, pneumatics and eccentric motion. Build LEGO XWings, AT-AT walkers, Pod Racers, Star Destroyers, Cloud Cities, Settlements, Fortresses and other complex machines and structures from a galaxy far, far away.

Minecraft Engineering with LEGO (Ages 5-7): Bring Minecraft to life using tens of thousands of LEGO®! Build engineer-designed projects such as a motorized Creeper, a portal to the Nether and a moving Minecraft! Create your favorite Minecraft objects with the guidance of an experienced Play-Well instructor. Whether you are new to Minecraft and LEGO or a seasoned veteran, you’ll be hooked on the endless creative possibilities.

Minecraft Master Engineering with LEGO (Ages 8-12): Bring Minecraft to life using LEGO®! Build a motorized walking Creeper, a terrifying Ghast, and a motorized Minecraft! This project-based camp, designed by Play-Well instructors, combines the basic format of our core engineering-themed programs based on the world of Minecraft. Students will explore real-world concepts in physics, engineering, and architecture while building their favorite Minecraft objects. Students will have a blast, even without any prior experience with Minecraft or LEGO.

Video Game Design (Ages 8-14): Love video games? Learn how to make your very own and play it on your own PC! From designing levels and creating characters to programming movements and control, learn the entire process of making your very own custom game!

Minecraft Architects (Ages 8-14): Spark creative thinking, develop spatial visualization skills and improve math proficiency. Work with a group to create building structures to meet specific guidelines. Defeat the challenges of limited resources, time limits and environmental features. Discover drawing blueprints and then transform the sketch in Minecraft.

Video Game Producer (Ages 6-9): Video Game Producer is an introductory course that lets you design your very own game and then make a video discussing it. Students will learn how to code a premade game while learning level design. Afterward, students make a short video on why others should play their game. Students will take their games with them and can share their video through 8Bit’s YouTube Channel.

Minecraft Redstone Wiring (Ages 8-14): Learn how to create unique creations inside the Minecraft world. Discover how to use Redstone to wire your creation and bring it to life. Students will learn how to make Automated Train Stations, Elevators and more!

Lego Animation (Ages 8-14): In Lego Animation, you create your very own Stop and Go Animation. Build the sets, create the voice overs and edit stills to bring the movie to life. Afterward, view and share your video through 8Bit’s YouTube Channel.

Movie Magic (Ages 8-14): Lights, Camera, Action! Gain valuable tips, pro tricks and interpersonal skills while you make your own short film. Learn a variety of script writing, filming, acting, and directing techniques. Afterward, view and share your video through 8Bit’s YouTube Channel.

Chess Wizards Camp (Ages 5-8): Join us this summer for tons of challenging chess lessons, exciting games and cool prizes. You’ll improve your chess skills, meet new friends and work out your most powerful muscle – your brain! Our camps include fun team chess play games, recess time, snacks, tournaments and puzzles. Each camper receives a t-shirt, a trophy and puzzle folder.  Unleash your brain power and spend part of your vacation with Chess Wizards!

If you are interested in signing your child up for any of these programs, you can register online or at the Parks and Recreation office located at 1400 Main St, Suite 210.

For more information please contact (817) 748-8019 or visit www.SouthlakeParksandRec.com.

Science Grows at Durham Intermediate

Science students at Carroll ISD’s Durham Intermediate School are getting a special lesson this semester. The campus was recently named a “Master Gardener Site” due partly because of the successful garden on the north side of the school. Every Friday, three of Durham’s science lab classes participate in a Junior Master Gardener lesson. This is a pilot project that allows Master Gardeners to teach their knowledge and earn hours they need for continuing education certification.

The slideshow below is from a recent lesson in which the guest speaker was not only a Master Gardener but a cook with 40 years of kitchen experience who also helps volunteer to teach classes at Central Market. The students learned the importance of cleanliness in the kitchen, cross contamination and preserving produce. For example, the chef told students he learned from a farmer that storing potatoes in pantyhose can keep the vegetable fresh for up to a year!