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!

**NOTE: There is also a "Part 2" of this class, designed for slightly older students (ages 7-10).  Both classes run weekly year-round, can be taken at any time, and weekly topics do not build.  You can check out "Part 2" here:  http://tiny.cc/STEAMCLUB2**

This is an ongoing club designed especially for primary and early elementary learners (preK-2nd grade).  The weekly subject matter will be introductory--so no previous knowledge of the topic is required.  All activities, games, read-alouds, 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 consider student or parent requests and encourage them!

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, as well as any "show-and-tell" related to the subject matter (books, toys, cool facts, etc).  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 projects 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.   Some printed materials may be provided to glue into the journal, as well as drawings, copy-work, and more.

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

Class topics are as follows:

WINTER 2024 
Week of January 1: WINTER 2024 STEAM PASSPORT BEGINS
Week of Jan 7: Fairy Tale STEM: Hansel and Gretel (hands-on STEAM Challenge)
Week of January 14: Science of Snow (with hands-on STEAM challenge)
Week of January 21: Exciting Earth: Animal Habitats
Wek of January 28: Seasonal STEAM: Groundhog Day! (Statistics and Hibernating Animals)
Week of February 4: Jr. Physics: Use the Force!
Week of February 11: My Amazing Body: My Heart
Week of February 18: City STEM: Incredible Inventions
Week of February 25: Look Up: Mars, Our Red Neighbor
Week of March 3: Fossils
Week of March 10: STEM Challenge: Cereal Box Leprechaun Traps (additional supplies and adult assistance may be required)
Week of March 17: Hands-On STEM: Let’s Make Slime! (and what is it, anyway?) (additional supplies and adult assistance may be required)
Week of March 24: Animal Science: Anatomy of an Egg (welcome spring!) (NO CLASS 3/28, 3/29)
Week of March 31: (NO CLASS 4/1-4/3) Animal Science: Anatomy of an Egg
Week of April 7: Exciting Earth: What is SOIL? 
Week of April 14:  Animal Science: Animal Adaptations
Week of April 21: Exciting Earth: Wonderful, Wild Wind (Earth Day)
Week of April 28: City STEM: "Green" Homes (Earth Day/Earth Month, continued) 
Week of May 5: Seasonal STEM: Parts of a Flower (NO CLASS May 9-10)
Week of May 12: Seasonal STEM: Parts of a Flower (NO CLASS May 13-15)
Week of May 19: Pond Life (Freshwater Ecosystems)
Week of May 26: Busy, Buzzy Bees 🐝 
Week of June 2: (NO CLASS Friday, 6/7) STEAM FUN WEEK (STEM challenges, show-and-tell, and STEM games)
Week of June 9: NO CLASS
Week of June 16: Geology ROCKS ! (All About Rocks)
Week of June 23: Natural Wonders: Mushroom are Magic

Summer Passport 2024
Week of June 30: (SUMMER PASSPORT BEGINS) Summer STEAM Kick-Off Challenge : Terrific Treehouses (hands-on building/designing challenge--be sure to bring creative building supplies and your imagination)
Week of July 7: Ocean STEM: Shark Week!
Week of July 14: Shhh--it's Spy School! ( the Science of Secret Communication)
Week of July 21: Campfire Chemistry: What is FIRE? 
Week of July 28: STEAM "Out" of this World: Stargazers (Star Science plus Hands-on project)
Week of August 4: STEAM on the High Seas: Pirate Ships STEAM Challenge (you might get a little wet!)
Week of August 11: Backyard STEAM: Let's Go Fly A Kite (the physics of flying)
Week of August 18: Playground PHYSICS (hands-on STEAM building/design challenge)
Week of August 25: Animal Classifications (please bring plastic toy or stuffed animals for a fun game)
Week of September 1: Animal Adaptations: Life Underground (NO CLASS Monday, 9/2 Labor Day)
Week of Sept 8: STEAM FUN WEEK (STEM-inspired building/drawing/sculpting challenges, plus sharing and more)

Fall Passport 2024
Week of September 15: Super Structures (hands-on STEAM challenge, additional supplies requested)
Week of September 22: Autumn Leaves
Week of September 29: Labyrinths and Mazes (hands-on STEAM challenge, some extra supplies required, all household or common craft items)
Week of October 6: (NO CLASS Friday, 10/6-10/7): Fireflies and Codes
Week of October 13: Fireflies and Codes (NO CLASS 10/10, 10/11, 10/12)
Week of October 20: Bats! (with hands-on STEAM challenge, some additional supplies requested)
Week of October 27: Punkin' Chunkin' Catapults (with guided STEAM project--some additional supplies requested) 
Week of November 3: My Body: My Bones
Week of November 10: My Body: My Muscles
Week of November 17: My Body: My Brain
Week of November 24: NO CLASS due to the Thanksgiving Holiday
Week of December 1: Surface Tension (with guided STEAM experiment--some additional supplies requested)
Week of December 8: HOLIDAY STEAM Fun: Water Experiments (bouyancy, solutions, etc) (hands-on STEAM experiments)
Week of December 15: Seasonal STEAM Evergreens and Conifers (please bring samples of evergreens in your neighborhood)
Week of December 22: NO CLASS
Week of December 29: NO CLASS
HAPPY HOLIDAYS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Winter 2025 Passport:



**Weekly themes will be posted for summer as ready.  Each week will we alternate between hands-on experiments and thematic explorations.  Themes and topics are subject to change at the instructors' discretion, and any updates will be posted in the classroom prior to the start of the class meeting with as much notice as possible.**

Additional class dates and themes may be added based on student interest and suggestions.  This schedule is subject to change based on feedback from families and teacher's flexible summer schedule.  Any changes will be posted as soon as possible for the most notice to families and students.

Please note: 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 your little ones.
To this end, I ask you to remember that this age group often needs a little more support on both sides of the screen that 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.