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Engineering Explorers: Build It, Test It, Take It Home!
👶 Ages 5–12Course📍 LIC

Engineering Explorers: Build It, Test It, Take It Home!

📆Tue, Apr 28 · 3:00 PM
📍S.T.E.A.M Lab · 11-45 47th Ave, Queens, NY
🏷From $2

About this event

Get ready to invent, create, and explore like a real engineer! In this hands-on series, kids dive into the exciting world of design and discovery — building awesome projects they can actually take home . From crafting a solar-powered car that zooms with sunlight, to designing a custom music box, to wiring up a glowing desk lamp, every week brings a brand-new creation and challenge. Along the way, students learn how science, technology, and imagination work together to make amazing things happen. They’ll test, tweak, and troubleshoot their designs — just like real inventors do! Perfect for curious minds who love to build, tinker, and take their creativity to the next level. Weeks 1–2: Welcome to Engineering! | Foundations & Design Thinking Focus Area: The Engineering Design Process (EDP): Ask → Imagine → Plan → Create → Test → Improve Standards Alignment: NGSS 3-5-ETS1-1 (Define engineering problems) NGSS 3-5-ETS1-2 (Generate & compare solutions) CCSS.Math.Practice.MP1 (Make sense of problems & persevere) Class Goals: Understand what engineers do Practice brainstorming, sketching, and prototyping Build 2 mini-projects to practice designing and redesigning Sample Projects: Balloon-powered car Spinning paper helicopter Weeks 3–4: Simple Machines Magic | Gears, Levers & Pulleys Focus Area: Mechanical Engineering Basics: force, load, work, mechanical advantage Standards Alignment: NGSS 3-PS2-1 (Forces & motion) NGSS 4-PS3-4 (Energy & motion relationship) Class Goals: Identify six simple machines Combine simple machines to solve a challenge Build a take-home contraption using at least 2 simple machines Sample Projects: Gear-powered spin toy Pulley-powered lift bucket Weeks 5–6: Wind & Motion Engineering | Energy You Can Feel Focus Area: Kinetic energy, aerodynamics, force direction, drag and lift Standards Alignment: NGSS 4-PS3-1 (Energy transfer) NGSS MS-PS2-2 (Motion & forces — adapted for age) Class Goals: Experiment with wind as a power source Build and test motion-based machines Learn how design changes affect speed Sample Projects: Wind-powered racer Pinwheel generator model Weeks 7–8: Light & Circuits | Electrical Engineering for Kids Focus Area: Electricity basics: open/closed circuits, switches, LEDs, conductivity Standards Alignment: NGSS 4-PS3-2 (Energy transfer through electric circuits) ISTE 4.d (Problem solving with technology) Class Goals: Build working circuits Understand energy flow and safety rules Create a take-home light-up device Sample Projects: LED night-light Light-up greeting card Weeks 9–10: Sound Science | Vibrations, Waves & Mini Music Makers Focus Area: Acoustical engineering: sound waves, pitch, vibration, resonance Standards Alignment: NGSS 4-PS4-1 (Wave patterns in sound) CCSS.Math.Practice.MP5 (Use tools strategically) Class Goals: Explore how sound is created and travels Experiment with vibration and frequency Build a take-home sound machine or instrument Sample Projects: Rubber band guitar Crank-powered music box (mechanical version) Weeks 11–12: Solar Power! | Renewable Energy & Sun-Driven Design Focus Area: Solar energy, energy transformation, sustainable engineering Standards Alignment: NGSS 5-PS3-1 (Sun as energy source) NGSS 3-5-ETS1-3 (Test and refine solutions) Class Goals: Learn how solar panels work Build models that convert sunlight into motion Compare solar output in different conditions Sample Projects: Solar-powered car (take-home!) Mini solar spinner Weeks 13–14: Structural Engineering | Towers, Bridges & Earthquake Tests Focus Area: Engineering stability: load distribution, tension, compression, base width Standards Alignment: NGSS 3-5-ETS1-2 (Plan and test solutions) NGSS 4-ESS3-2 (Reducing natural disaster impacts) Class Goals: Understand how structures stay strong Test strength using controlled “shake table” tests Build a sturdy take-home tower or bridge Sample Projects: Earthquake-resistant tower Strong-beam bridge challenge Weeks 15–16: Everyday Engineering | Design for Real Life Focus Area: Industrial & practical engineering: ergonomics, household devices, tools Standards Alignment: NGSS 3-5-ETS1-1 (Define problems) CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.4.1 (Collaborative discussion) Class Goals: Identify engineering in daily life Redesign common objects to make them “better” Build a functional take-home creation Sample Projects: Desk organizer Mini LED lamp Weeks 17–18: Intro to Robotics & Mechanisms | Movement by Design Focus Area: Mechanical robotics: motors, linkages, cams, movement patterns Standards Alignment: NGSS 3-5-ETS1-2 (Design & test prototypes) ISTE 5.c (Explore technology operations) Class Goals: Understand how robots move without coding Explore cams, cranks, and rotating systems Build a take-home moving robot model Sample Projects: Mechanical wobble-bot Crank-walking creature Weeks 19–20: The Inventor’s Showcase | Build Your Own Creation Focus Area: Innovation, project planning, independent problem solving Standards Alignment: NGSS 3-5-ETS1-3 (Optimize designs) CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.5.4 (Present information clearly) Class Goals: Students design an invention from scratch Use what they've learned across all engineering fields Present finished inventions at a fun “Demo Day” Sample Projects: Solar gadget Light-up accessory Motion device Or their own completely original invention! CLASS SCHEDULE 2:30-3:30pm: Local Park Visit, Snack, Homework Help, Guided Free Choice 3:30-4:00pm: Warm Up Engineering Activity 4:00-5:30pm: Feature Activity 5:30-5:45 pm: Free Choice & Parent Pickup ADDITIONAL DETAILS CLICK HERE for our FAQ and General Policies Guide Complimentary Bus Stop Pickup Available Classes are held on all Tuesdays 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

Source: The Afterschool Collective

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Welcome to the STEAM Museum Makers Lab, where kids don’t just learn about science and art — 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 — from ancient inventions to futuristic cities! Halfway through, they’ll host a Midterm Mini Museum, and at the end, they’ll unveil their Big STEAM Showcase — a full-blown, student-run museum experience. This class turns learning into an adventure in creativity, teamwork, and real-world problem-solving. Weeks 1–2: Welcome to the STEAM Museum! Theme: What makes a museum magical? Activities: “Museum Mystery” gallery walk (students explore photos of famous museums). Create museum roles (curators, designers, storytellers, builders). Build your first “micro-exhibit” with classroom materials. Goal: Understand what museums do and how exhibits tell stories. Weeks 3–5: Ancient Innovations Theme: From wheels to pyramids — 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 “Ancient Innovation” exhibit with diagrams and artifacts. Goal: Connect science and history through hands-on creation. Weeks 6–8: Midterm Exhibit — 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 9–11: 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 12–15: 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 16–18: 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 19–20: The Grand STEAM Showcase! Theme: Step into your museum — you’re 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

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From $2

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