This fall and spring, Berkeley Lab K-12 Programs will be hosting fun, hands-on STEM activities for 6th graders in the Bay Area.
This is an in-person opportunity. All activities will be led by the K-12 team. Volunteers will be asked to guide the students through the activities, no prior knowledge or experience is required.
Students will be participating in a number of activities that will allow them to use their observation skills. Possible activities include:
What are Stars Made Of? (Astronomy and Spectroscopy Scientific Observations) - 40 minutes
In this activity, students will explore the different emission spectra of elements by observing heated gas elements (color) with diffraction gratings (or spectroscopes). Students will draw their observations on a handout. Then, students will use the emission spectra they've collected to decipher what elements exist in stars.
Microscopic Explorations (Scientific Observations) - 40 minutes
In this activity, students use their observation skills to identify patterns, shapes, and materials using a microscope. Several activity stations are set up with activities and materials (fingerprinting, sand, salt, newsprint, fabric) that allow participants to see what's beyond the eye.
Circuit Card (Electronics) - 30 minutes
Students get a short introduction to electronics and conductivity in this activity. Following a template, students are able to create a small circuit using copper tape, a button battery and LED. Once the circuit is created the light can be integrated with the picture of the advanced light source (ALS) on the opposite side of the circuit.
Chibi Traffic Lights (Coding and Electronics) - 45 minutes
In this activity, students get an introduction to coding and electronics. Students connect to a small microcontroller that allows them to control the built-in lights via programmable commands. They then will learn the basics behind how a traffic light is programmed and get a chance to create their own.
Volunteers can sign up for any shift that best fits their schedule. Those that stay for the full day will receive lunch. K-12 team members will be present to guide the facilitation.
For any questions, please contact K-12 Lead Education Facilitator, Corbin Shatto: cshatto@lbl.gov
Locations will be updated as they are added to shifts:
September 29th - Longfellow Middle School (Berkeley)
November 3rd & 4th - Willard Middle School (Berkeley)
