STEM
Engage your child's creativity with our virtual STEM programs!
Our Meriden YMCA STEM Academy programs have been recognized and awarded these very special grants. We are grateful for the support of these organizations:
- 2019 Cox Charities Community Grant
- 2018 Cox Charities STEM Education Grant
- 2016 Cox STEM Education Grant
- 2015 3M STEM Education Grant
- 2012 Napier Foundation STEM Education Grant
- 2011 NASA Summer of Innovation STEM Education Grant.
STEM programs are under the direction of Christopher Stone, Director of STEM Academy.
VEX Code VR
VEXcode VR lets you code a virtual robot using a block based coding environment powered by Scratch Blocks. VEXcode VR is based on VEXcode, the same programming environment used for VEX 123, GO, IQ and V5 robots. We all know that robots make Computer Science (CS) come to life with real world applications. Now STEM learning can continue while at home for students (excerpt from VEX VR website).
- Day/Date: Thursday January 28, 2021
- Time: 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.
- Cost: $15 per participant
Straw Egg Drop Challenge
Participants will create a protective covering/device to prevent an egg from breaking during an egg drop test. Families will need to provide up to 50 plastic non-flexible straws, one meter of masking tape, scissors, zip seal plastic bag, plate or tin for workspace and one raw egg.
- Day/Date: Thursday February 4, 2021
- Time: 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.
- Cost: $15 per participant
Explore STEM Careers - One Night Program
Participants will explore all types of STEM Careers through CT STEM Academy’s engaging Careers In STEM website. Participants will walk away with an understanding of skills needed for various STEM Careers.
- Tuesday, February 9, 2021
- Time 6:00 to 7:00 p.m.
- Location: Online via Google Meet
- Cost: $15
Introduce A Girl to Engineering Day
Please join CT STEM Academy in celebrating Girls in Engineering! We will watch a portion of the movie Dream Big: Engineering Our World Narrated by Jeff Bridges, create a “make and take” engineering activity and introduce you to our VEX IQ Robotics Program. Prior to the program, a Google Meet Code will be shared with registered participants. Materials will need to be provided by families. Each child should have an 8.5 x 11 piece of paper, 5 paper clips, and scissors. Various types of paper such as regular copy paper, 5 x 8 index card and construction paper and clear tape are recommended, but not required.
- Ages: 8 - 15
- Date: 2/25/21
- Day/Time: 6:00 to 7:00 p.m.
- Location: Online via Google Meet
- Cost: $15
STEM Club
Participants will be introduced to the engineering design process as they explore fun hands-on science and engineering challenges. A kit of supplies will be provided to each participant. Please note that this program will require participants to pick up their kit prior to the program. Additionally, a Google Meet Code will be shared with registered participants prior to the program. Participants may pick up their materials on January 29 through February 3.
- Ages: 8 - 12
- Dates: 2/4, 2/11, 2/18
- Day/Time: Thursdays 6:00 to 7:00 p.m.
- Location: Online via Google Meet
- Fee: $35
Electric Circuits
Are you interested in electricity, circuit boards and basic robotics? If so, then you’ll want to be a part of designing and testing inventions with your very own Snap Circuits Kit. Each participant will receive a Snap Circuits Kit to keep and continue the learning fun even after our program. Participants may pick up their materials on January 27, 28, or 29. Prior to the program, a Google Meet Code will be shared with registered participants.
- Ages: 8 - 14
- Saturdays: 2/6, 2/13, 2/20, 2/27
- Time: 12:30 to 1:30 p.m.
- Location: Online via Google Meet
- Cost: $60
Chemistry Creations
Explore a different side of STEM with this new program. As junior chemists, students will study the substances that make up matter—everything that takes up space in the universe. They also study the changes that take place when substances are combined. These changes are called chemical reactions. Participants who join will have the chance to see how the properties of substances can make for exciting projects that might include chemical testing and allergy free food chemistry. We have also included new topics to explore. A kit of supplies will be provided to each participant. Please note that this program will require participants to pick up their kit prior to the program. Participants may pick up their materials on February 10, 11 or 16th. Additionally, a Google Meet Code will be shared with registered participants prior to the program. The program instructor will be Ruby Hsu. Ruby is a STEM educator, past Wallingford Teacher of the Year, and internationally experienced educator.
- Ages 9 - 14
- Tuesdays: 2/16 and 2/23
- Time: 6:15 to 7:30 p.m.
- Location: Online via Google Meet
- Cost: $30
- Register by phone at 203.235.6386, at the Meriden YMCA or online.
- Carolyn Daniels, Arts and Education Director, Meriden YMCA t 203-235-6386 or cdaniels@meridenymca.org
- Christopher Stone, Science Education Director, Meriden YMCA at 203-314-7865 or cstone@meridenymca.org
Makey Makey Club
The Makey Makey is an electronic invention kit for all ages! The Makey Makey allows you to take everyday objects and combine them with the internet. Using the alligator clips attached to any conductive material you can control the keyboard of your computer, such as the space bar, arrow keys and left click of the mouse. In this program, you will create fun inventions using Makey Makey and household materials provided in our kit!* A Makey Makey Kit, and supplies, will be provided to each participant. Families will be required to pick up their Makey Makey kit prior to the program. Participants may pick up their materials between 2/26 - 3/3. Additionally, a Google Meet Code will be shared with registered participants prior to the program. *Course Description in part from http://www.makerspaceforeducation.com/makey-makey.html
- Ages: 9 - 14
- Dates: 3/4, 3/11, 3/18, 3/25
- Day/Time: Thursdays 6:00 to 7:00 p.m.
- Location: Online via Google Meet
- Fee: $100 (includes Makey Makey kit)
Thank you to Cox Charities and 3M for supporting our STEM Programs.
