Supporting Youth in STEM – Building Chain Reaction Machines

Please note that the event location has changed to Kendall Hall!

STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) programs are increasingly popular with parents and children, they allow youth to freely explore, design and create while stimulating a child’s innate sense of curiosity, help them learn about world and build critical skills. 

How do we as parents and educators best encourage and support a child’s exploration of STEM?  This workshop is for parents, 4-H volunteers and other educators who are interested in fostering a positive learning environment for their child or other youth to explore STEM subjects, yet may not have a strong background in STEM. 

Through the construction of Rube Goldberg/Chain Reaction Machines, we will explore how to set up STEM activities in a safe and positive learning environment, the kinds of materials to use, and ways to offer support to the curious child.  The workshop will highlight the 4-H Chain Reaction Challenge and how participation in this 4-H event can help youth set goals and focus their energy on building chain reaction machines that meet these goals.  The 4-H Chain Reaction Challenge is an opportunity to showcase youth work at the 4-H Clover Corner at NH Farm, Forest and Garden, May 3rd.

There will be a concurrent Building Chain Reaction Machines youth program for children of parents attending the workshop.

4-H STEM Program - Building Chain Reaction Machines (Youth Program)

Come and design and build a chain reaction machine.  Kids will work with friends, use brainpower and a bunch of fun materials to build chain reaction machines that complete a simple task in the most silly and complicated way.  Chain reaction machines are a series of events (like toppling dominoes, a rolling ball or falling book) that when linked form a series of reactions with the final event often being something simple, like putting fruit in a bowl.  Join us for a morning of fun and engineering as we create chain reaction masterpieces.