School may be starting, but the learning—and the fun—doesn’t have to stay in the classroom. Girlstart is inviting Central Texas families to explore robotics, engineering, chemistry, and more at its annual Back-to-School STEM Extravaganza.
Girlstart’s Jess Thompson joined We Are Austin’s Trevor Scott with a preview of the Aug. 29 event and demonstrated one of the hands-on experiments families can expect.
Girlstart’s Jess Thompson joined We Are Austin’s Trevor Scott with a preview of the Aug. 29 event and demonstrated one of the hands-on experiments families can expect.
Empowering Girls Through STEM
Girlstart works throughout the year to empower girls to explore science, technology, engineering and math through after-school programs, summer camps and community events.
The Back-to-School STEM Extravaganza brings that mission together for a day filled with interactive activities—and each experiment connects to a potential career.
“All these hands-on activities tie into a career connection and not only a career connection, but a woman in STEM,” Thompson said.
The goal is to help young learners see how the science they’re experimenting with could translate into a future career.
Girlstart’s Back-to-School STEM extravaganza makes science hands-on and fun
From Mars Rovers to Rockets
The lineup includes plenty of opportunities for kids to experiment.
One activity uses an mBot to simulate a Mars rover mission, introducing participants to coding and robotics engineering. Kids will also be able to explore forces with a catapult and create a chemical reaction using water and an effervescent tablet to send a miniature rocket blasting off.
Girlstart’s popular “sound sandwich” will also return, helping children explore pitch, wavelengths, sounds and vibrations while learning about acoustical engineering.
“Not only are we making really fun stuff that you’ll get to take home, but there’s lots of science behind everything that we’re doing,” Thompson said.
Girlstart’s Back-to-School STEM extravaganza makes science hands-on and fun
Build Your Own Circuit Flashlight
Thompson also brought a simple electrical engineering experiment to the We Are Austin studio.
Using an LED light, coin cell battery, binder clip, popsicle stick and conductive tape, she demonstrated how kids can build a small circuit flashlight.
“We’re actually going to create a small circuit here,” Thompson explained.
The binder clip becomes a switch: closing the circuit allows electricity to flow and illuminates the LED, while opening it interrupts that flow.
“What we’re learning about is circuits,” Thompson said. “When you open the circuit, the energy stops.”
The activity also introduces kids to conductors and insulators while giving them something fun to take home.
Girlstart’s Jess Thompson joined We Are Austin’s Trevor Scott with a preview of the Aug. 29 event and demonstrated one of the hands-on experiments families can expect.
Make a Day of STEM at Girlstart
The Girlstart Back-to-School STEM Extravaganza takes place Saturday, Aug. 29, at the Girlstart STEM Center.
Sponsored by Cirrus Logic, the event will also feature community partners including the Texas Science & Natural History Museum, Preston Labs and Thinkery. Cooperative will provide music throughout the event.
Families can visit Girlstart online to learn more about the Back-to-School STEM Extravaganza and the organization’s year-round programs helping girls discover what’s possible through STEM.
Girlstart’s Back-to-School STEM extravaganza makes science hands-on and fun