San Miguel hosted an after-school STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) event on May 2 from 3-5:30 PM with Hands On Bay Area and Nova. Twenty-five volunteers from Nova worked with Kids Learning After School (KLAS) students to complete a STEM team task. A focus for all of the stations was for students to work collaboratively and use language to express ideas, negotiate, and problem solve. There were four stations for students to experience.
Station 1: Elephant Toothpaste – Kids learn about chemical reactions when yeast works as a catalyst to release the oxygen molecules from a hydrogen peroxide solution. The oxygen-filled bubbles, which make up the foam, are actually the remainder of what happens when the hydrogen peroxide breaks down into water (H2O) and oxygen (O2). The bottle will feel warm to the touch because this is an exothermic reaction in which energy, in the form of heat, is given off. https://www.stevespanglerscience.com/lab/experiments/elephants-toothpaste/
Station 2: Catapult – Uses math and engineering to build the catapult using glue, rubber bands, and popsicle sticks. Science skills are used to test and hypothesize how far the object catapulted will go. Finally, physics to talk about what happens and why when the catapult is activated. https://littlebinsforlittlehands.com/popsicle-stick-catapult-kids-stem-activity/
Station 3: Students built forts using interlocking sticks and balls to use their team-building and communication skills.
Station 4: Special snack station – making gummy worm dirt pudding. This will allow kids to use measuring and logic skills as they make their own delicious snack treat. http://www.kraftrecipes.com/recipes/dirt-cups-57763.aspx
Hands On Bay Area is a nonprofit volunteer organization that conducts community service projects for individuals and corporations. The organization offers services such as assisting senior citizens, tutoring children, planting trees, creating urban gardens, building playgrounds at homeless shelters, and providing meals for homeless individuals.
NOVA is a nonprofit, federally funded employment and training agency that works closely with local businesses, educators, and job seekers to ensure that our programs provide opportunities that build the knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary to address the workforce needs of Silicon Valley.
