Kid Explorers: S.T.E.A.M. Around the World Part 2 (STEM, Earth Science, + More!)

Curious kids are invited on a journey of discovery!  We'll learn about Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Math and more more, as we STEAM around the world in search of weekly topics.  Sharing, fun activities, movement, new friends, & more!

**This is PART 2 of my ongoing STEAM Around the World series.  You DO NOT have to take Part 1 in order to sign up for this class, and they can be taken in any order, depending on your child's age, abilities, and interests.  Please message me if you have any questions.** (Part 1 can be found here: https://outschool.com/classes/junior-explorers-steam-around-the-world-club-eECLkd19?sectionUid=f9869ef4-85d8-412c-a321-1faffe7fcd8f&usid=7ZOYiLMn&signup=true&utm_campaign=share_activity_link)

This is an ongoing club designed especially for lower elementary learners (K-3rd).  The weekly subject matter will be introductory--so no previous knowledge of the topic is required.  All activities, games, stories, videos, and content will be age and developmentally appropriate.  New topics will be presented each week--jump in at any time!  Topics will be teacher-led, but I will be happy to consider student or parent requests.

Each week, I will present a brief lesson about a featured STEAM topic.  Students will take turns sharing what they already know about the topic and or what they are wondering about it.  For the remainder of class, students will participate in some of the following: a variety of short activities, discussion, read-alouds, video clips, or hands-on STEM projects (both open-ended and guided) to explore and demonstrate what we are learning.

Students will be encouraged to keep a STEAM "travel journal."  Each week, we will end the class by adding an entry to our journals to show something we learned.  Students may share their entries before leaving the club, or they can continue to work on them after the meeting and post photos/videos in the virtual classroom.  I recommend using a folder with brads and pockets (a video for how to set it up will be provided in the classroom once you are registered) OR a side-by-side, spiral-bound sketchbook with blank pages.   Weekly printed materials will be provided to glue into the journal, as well as drawing prompts, coloring pages, copy-work, and more.

A printable seasonal "Passport" will also be provided that students can add a weekly topic "stamp" to keep track of what they learned.  Collect them all!

Students may occasionally be provided extension activities and enrichment resources between meetings.  These activities will always be optional.

A general supply list is provided in the class description, but weekly supplies for special projects will be posted in the classroom prior to each meeting.  Alternate supply ideas are always available upon request, and all students will have ample opportunity to participate in class regardless of what they bring to class.  

***I strive to create a safe, inclusive, positive classroom with the goal of building curiosity and excitement for learning and the world around us.***

Class topics are as follows: (join at any time!!)

2025 STEAM 2 Weekly Themes
Winter STEAM Passport Begins
Week of January 5: STEAM FUN WEEK
Week of January 12: Science of Snow (make our own "snow"—extra supplies may be required)
Week of January 19: Feed the birds: UPcycled and natural bird feeders (extra supplies will be needed, including bird seed)
Week of January 26: Indoor Snowball Fight! ("snow" launching catapults and fort-building)
Week of February 2: STEAM Creative Escape (We'll build our way through a Castle Adventure!)
Week of February 9: Love Stories: Moving Pictures and basic animation
Week of February 16: Ice Age Adaptations
Week of February 23: STEM Basics: Construction Junction
Week of March 2: Dig into Archaeology
Week of March 9: Leprechaun Logic and Luck
Week of March 16: Save the Chickens! (with a special LIVE guest or two!)
Week of March 23: STEM FUN WEEK: Grab Bag STEAM Challenges

Spring STEAM Passport Begins
Week of March 30: Medieval Engineering: Defend the Castle! (Hands-on STEM Challenge, additional materials may be requested)
Week of April 6: NO CLASS
Week of April 13: Map Skills (Orienteering and Following Directions)
Week of April 20: Ocean Science: Zones
Week of April 27: Science of Trees
Week of May 4: Food Chain (NO CLASS Wed-Sat)
Week of May 11: Food Chain (NO CLASS Sun-Wed)
Week of May 18: Board Game Design (STEAM Challenge—additional materials may be requested)
Week of May 25: Water Cycle (STEAM Challenge—additional materials may be requested)
Week of June 1: STEAM Fun Week! (Hands-on challenges, science-themed games, and more) (NO CLASS Friday)
Week of June 8: NO CLASS
Week of June 15: Spy School
Week of June 22: Layers of the Earth
Week of June 29: NO CLASS
Summer 2025 - STEAM Passport Continues
Week of July 6: Tectonic Plates (with HANDS-ON demonstration/experiment)
Week of July 13: Cloud Collectors
Week of July 20: City STEAM: Community Helpers
Week of July 27: VOLCANOES, Erupt! (hands-on, messy experiment day)
Week of August 3: NO CLASSES
Week of August 10: Chain Reactions: Rube Goldberg Day
Week of August 17: Forces of Flight (Paper Airplanes!)
Week of August 24: STEAM FUN WEEK

Fall 2025 - STEAM Passport Begins
Week of August 31: Weather Watchers: METEOROLOGY + WEATHER TOOLS (includes hands-on project)
Week of September 7: Weather Watchers: METEOROLOGY + WEATHER TOOLS (includes hands-on project)
Week of September 14: Harvest Moon and Moon Phases
Week of September 21: Rainforest Layers (Cereal Box/Cardboard tube diorama project)
Week of September 28: Weather Watchers—Lightning and Thunder
Week of October 5: The Colors of Autumn (Leaf Chromatography)
Week of October 12: NO CLASS
Week of October 19: Birdwatchers: Migration
Week of October 26: Candy Bag Chemistry (be sure to bring candy corn plus other Halloween candy!)
Week of November 2: Spider Science
Week of November 9: Bridge Design Challenge
Week of November 16: Science of Sound (Musical Instruments project)
Week of November 23: NO CLASS due to the US holiday (Thanksgiving)
Week of November 30: Fairy Tale STEAM
Winter 2025 - Holiday Season
Week of December 7: Reindeer Races (required: balloons, plastic straws, string or yarn, and masking tape; printed supplies will be provided)
Week of December 14: Winter/Holiday STEAM FUN WEEK
Week of December 21: NO CLASS
Week of December 28: NO CLASS

Future Themes are TBD.  All weekly themes are subject to change at the teacher's discretion, and will be updated in the classroom and main listing.  This class runs year-round (minus some weeks off throughout the year) with a full year of topics that repeats annually.  You can join at any time and stay as long as you want!

NOTES:
I strive to create a positive, relaxed learning environment for all of my students.  No activities are forced, and sharing is always optional.  I am a gentle (albeit enthusiastic) teacher.  I welcome all types of learners, and am open to any feedback or communication with parents and caregivers.  I want learning to be an AWESOME experience for all of my students.

To this end, I ask you to remember that this age group has a range of developmental skills, and often needs a little more support on both sides of the screen than older students.  Please remain nearby your child during class, in case they need social or emotional support, help understanding or navigating instructions, or technical assistance.  This makes a huge difference in the quality of their classroom experience, especially for our youngest learners.

IMPORTANT: Access to a color printer is required for this class.  Please be sure to check the "Supplies" tab for general supplies, to be sure you have what you'll need on hand each week for our activities.  Weekly files (to print) and any supplemental supplies will be posted in the classroom 1 day before our club meeting, and then reposted an hour before class begins, in the case of any last-minute registrations.  If you are unable to view the weekly post and supplies, please message the teacher ASAP so I can send them directly to you.  I am teaching throughout the day, but I will do my best to check my messages prior to starting the class.  I will be unable to respond to any messages or posts once the meeting has begun.