By Decire Gonzalez KC'S BLOG • • • 0 Comments

National STEM Day

Every year on November 8, we celebrate National STEM Day, a day dedicated to promoting interest in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields. The term "STEM" represents the four academic disciplines that drive innovation and problem-solving in our modern world.

National STEM Day was created in 2015 by MGA Entertainment, a toy company, to encourage children to explore STEM subjects through engaging, hands-on activities. These hands-on activities help children discover their potential career interests early on. Research continues to show the importance of introducing STEM concepts at an early age. The U.S. Department of Education emphasizes that “a strong STEM education is the key to the nation’s future,” noting that these disciplines are essential for innovation and economic growth.

In celebration of National STEM Day, here are some simple and educational activities parents can do with their children to help spark curiosity and strengthen STEM skills:
• Science: Conduct small experiments on greenhouse gases to help children understand climate change and practice data collection.
• Technology: Create a solar-powered paper house to teach about renewable energy sources.
• Engineering: Use blocks or paper to design and build structures, encouraging creativity and problem-solving.
• Mathematics: Play simple adding and subtracting games to improve critical thinking and numerical reasoning.

There are countless other ways to bring STEM learning into everyday life, from coding apps to nature exploration. Even if children pursue non-STEM careers, the problem-solving and analytical skills developed through these activities will benefit them throughout their lives.

 

By Decire Gonzalez KC'S BLOG • • • • 0 Comments

Halloween: A Time for Creativity and Engineering

Halloween is celebrated every October 31, and is all about imagination, fun, and tradition. According to Encyclopedia Britannica, Halloween is “a holiday observed on October 31, the evening before All Saints’ (or All Hallows’) Day,” with roots in ancient Celtic festivals and Christian traditions. Over the decades, Halloween has become a beloved holiday in the United States, marked by costume parties, pumpkin carving, trick-or-treating, and haunted house decorations. This festive season is also an ideal time for engineers, students, and families to apply their Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) knowledge in creative and engaging ways.

Engineering isn’t just about equations and blueprints, it’s also about problem-solving, design, and innovation, all of which are perfect skills for creating Halloween decorations. Using everyday and recyclable materials, engineers and DIYers can build spooky and interactive decorations that are fun, educational, and even environmentally friendly.

Here are some fun, engineering-inspired Halloween decoration ideas:

  • Pumpkin Elevator: Use recyclable materials like cardboard, pulleys, string, and small weights to build a simple machine that lifts pumpkins. It’s a great way to teach kids about mechanical advantages and physics.
  • Germinating Pumpkins: Turn your pumpkin into a mini science lab. Fill a hollowed-out pumpkin with soil and seeds to watch them sprout. It’s a great way to combine Halloween fun with plant biology and sustainability.
  • Floating Ghosts: Use plastic pipettes, cheesecloth, and clear string to create eerie, floating ghosts. This simple craft demonstrates principles of buoyancy and static balance.
  • Yarn Spider Webs: With just some yarn and tape, you can design large web patterns that mimic spider silk structures. This is a hands-on introduction to geometry and pattern design.
  • Paper Bats: Folding and cutting paper into bat shapes not only adds a spooky touch but also provides a fun lesson in symmetry and aerodynamics if you make them fly.

These projects are a great way to engage kids and adults alike in STEM, showing that engineering can be fun, hands-on, and festive.

Happy Halloween!

 

By Decire Gonzalez KC'S BLOG • • • • • 0 Comments

National STEM Day

This Monday, November 8, is National STEM Day. The term STEM is a catch-all acronym for the following academic disciplines: science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. This holiday was created by a toy company named MGA Entertainment in 2015 to allow children to engage in these academic disciplines in fun and entertaining ways. This allows children to explore their interest in these academic disciplines and at the same time allows them to find their career passion at an early age.

In celebration of National STEM Day, here are some activities you can do with your children to help them develop and/or advance their STEM skills:

There are hundreds of other activities your children can do to stimulate their STEM skills. Even if they choose a career path outside of STEM, these activities can be useful in their everyday lives. For more information about STEM, go to: https://www.ed.gov/stem

 

By Decire Gonzalez KC'S BLOG • • • • • 0 Comments

LEGO Summer Camps for Little Big Engineers

Are LEGOs one of your child's favorite toys? If so, you may have a little big engineer in the making.

According to lego.com, “the name ‘LEGO’ is an abbreviation of the two Danish words ‘leg godt,’ meaning ‘play well’."

LEGOS are defined as a development toy comprising of interlocking plastic structure squares.

LEGOs are not just pieces of construction blocks that come in different colors and / or shapes or just a method of entertainment for children. LEGOs help children explore their creative sides. In addition, they can be tools that help children identify the career choices they want to achieve as an adult. For example, LEGOs can help children identify if they want to become architects or engineers.

For most children, the end of a school year and the beginning of summer vacation is very exciting because they can stay up late, go on vacations, have sleepovers, and enjoy a lot of other fun activities. However, summer can be a stressful season for most parents. While continuing their busy schedules, most parents spend months trying to find the best summer camp for their children. Now, many summer camps have listened to parents' requests and camp directors have created summer activities that fit the parents’ interests as well as the children’s needs.

There are LEGO summer camps and classes available for little big engineers. These camps were developed to help children learn and shape their futures at a very young age. The camps activities are for all different age groups and some of the activities consist of learning how engineers think and learning how to use simple engineering mechanisms while also having fun and enjoying the summer.

For more information about LEGO summer camps or summer activities where your children can participate, visit www.activityhero.com/activities/lego-camps-classes

By Decire Gonzalez KC'S BLOG • • • • • • 0 Comments

International Women in Engineering Day

Tuesday, June 23rd, will mark the 4th International Women in Engineering Day (INWED). Initially, popularity and enthusiasm for the day expanded the celebration from its concentrated UK origins to become a worldwide event.

Originally launched in 2014 by the Women’s Engineering Society (WES), Women in Engineering Day sought to recognize and celebrate the presence and importance of women in engineering. INWED’s website calls the day “an accessible and inspiring way for companies, institutions, organizations, schools, universities, and individuals to raise the profile of women in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) and related sectors, showcase a commitment to diversity, and inspire future generations by organizing their own events and activities.”

WES’ own mission to be active supporters of women, collaborators with government agencies and policy makers, and challengers of stagnant cultures merges into the yearly celebration of INWED.

This year’s theme, #ShapeTheWorld, will focus on encouraging all supporting groups to organize events in support of INWED. Some examples on how to get involved, according to the campaign website, include becoming a STEM ambassador; hosting a networking, mentoring, careers, or social event; joining WES as a corporate partner; and / or promoting this year’s theme with the #ShapeTheWorld hashtag.

For more information about International Women in Engineering Day and how you or your organization can participate, visit www.inwed.org.uk.