CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Discovery Place Science kicks off its new ‘maker series’ this weekend. It is a six-week program with the goal of inspiring a lifelong interest in science, technology, engineering, or math fields.
Amanda Bottoms, the manager of Discovery Place’s Youth Development department, says their team really wants to get students involved in STEM so they can consider STEM as a future career.
Participants will work in engineering, circuitry and design, space, programming, digital fabrication, and chemistry.
Bottoms said a series like this is a great way to introduce students to technologies such as 3D printing, laser cutters, soldering irons, screwdrivers, wrenches, and so much more. She added many students don’t get hands-on opportunities like this.
WCNC Charlotte meteorologist Brittany Van Voorhees asked Bottoms to give an example of one of the products -- as long as it wasn’t top secret. Bottoms said that during the coding and programming session, students will take pony beads and make a code, completely unique to them. From there, they’ll learn how to program code.
“They are small, bodily robots,” she explained. “They're able to show them how to move and there's a maze on the table. And the students are supposed to learn how to get through the maze by programming the robot.”
This maker series is only for sixth, seventh, and eighth graders, but Discovery Place Science has many other programs, such as Girls in STEM, and a volunteer program where kids can help with science demos.
There are still spots available if your child is interested in participating. The cost is $120 for members and $150 for non-members. There are also scholarships available.
Bottoms left us with this some food for thought.
“We've got a lot of really great geniuses in the world," she said. "So, we are trying to spark and ignite that passion for thinking outside the box and trying to change the world."
How cool is that?
Contact Brittany Van Voorhees at bvanvoorhe@wcnc.com and follow her on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.