Museum Makers Lab
Mon, Apr 27 ยท 3:00 PM
S.T.E.A.M Lab ยท LIC
Welcome to the STEAM Museum Makers Lab, where kids donโt just learn about science and art โ they curate it! Over 20 weeks, students become inventors, artists, and storytellers as they design hands-on exhibits inspired by creativity, innovation, and wonder. Students work in teams to research, prototype, and build their own mini museum displays โ from ancient inventions to futuristic cities! Halfway through, theyโll host a Midterm Mini Museum, and at the end, theyโll unveil their Big STEAM Showcase โ a full-blown, student-run museum experience. This class turns learning into an adventure in creativity, teamwork, and real-world problem-solving. Weeks 1โ2: Welcome to the STEAM Museum! Theme: What makes a museum magical? Activities: โMuseum Mysteryโ gallery walk (students explore photos of famous museums). Create museum roles (curators, designers, storytellers, builders). Build your first โmicro-exhibitโ with classroom materials. Goal: Understand what museums do and how exhibits tell stories. Weeks 3โ5: Ancient Innovations Theme: From wheels to pyramids โ discover how ancient engineers shaped the world! Activities: Explore inventions from Egypt, Greece, China, and the Americas. Build and test a simple machine (lever, pulley, or wheel). Design a mini โAncient Innovationโ exhibit with diagrams and artifacts. Goal: Connect science and history through hands-on creation. Weeks 6โ8: Midterm Exhibit โ The Museum of Ancient Genius Theme: Bring history to life! Activities: Finalize displays, artifact labels, and museum tour scripts. Host a Mini Museum Exhibit for families Goal: Practice presentation skills and teamwork while showcasing learning. Weeks 9โ11: Art & Engineering Collide Theme: How do artists and engineers think alike? Activities: Explore kinetic art, architecture, and sculpture. Build moving art pieces using recycled materials, LEGO, or craft supplies. Experiment with symmetry, balance, and structure. Goal: Learn how design thinking blends art and science. Weeks 12โ15: Cities of Tomorrow Theme: Imagine, design, and build the city of the future. Activities: Brainstorm futuristic technologies that solve modern problems. Work in teams to plan transportation, energy, and housing solutions. Build scale models or digital blueprints Goal: Apply engineering and creativity to solve real-world challenges. Weeks 16โ18: Exhibit Design Studio Theme: Your museum, your rules! Activities: Choose your best projects to refine and display. Create interactive elements (signs, QR codes, models that move). Design the museum layout and visitor flow. Goal: Develop communication, organization, and teamwork skills. Weeks 19โ20: The Grand STEAM Showcase! Theme: Step into your museum โ youโre the curator! Activities: Big STEAM Showcase for parents and peers Give guided tours, explain exhibits, and celebrate creativity! Goal: Demonstrate understanding, pride, and presentation confidence. ADDITIONAL DETAILS CLICK HERE for our FAQ and General Policies Guide Complimentary Bus Stop Pickup Available Ages: 5+ | Classes are held on all Mondays except for those days when school is closed. All Afterschool Students receive 10% off on No-School Camp Days at The Afterschool Collective. Full Semester price is discounted to $90 per session rather than the $105 per session drop in investment