Tag Archives: STEM projects

Education

A Fun STEM Project to Complete Over Winter Break

At CodeREV Kids we see it all the time: A kid who once didn’t care at all about school can get so excited about science and technology classes that they’re actually sad to take a break over the holidays. The good news is that we’re here to help! We offer awesome winter camps but we’re also here to offer advice on a cool science project that can be completed over winter break.

Science that doubles as a snack

Do you remember rock candy from when you were a kid? It’s actually fairly easy to make, but it does take some planning and a lot of patience. To get a completed product, you’ll have to wait a week to ten days but it’ll be well worth it.

Your end goal is large crystals but you’ll need to start with small ones. Begin by dissolving two cups of sugar into a cup of boiling hot water. This is very hot so be sure you’re supervising or taking the lead on this part.

Then let it cool for ten minutes. Pour it into a clear glass, such as a mason jar. Take a pipe cleaner (which you may see marketed at a chenille stem) around the middle of any pencil. Leave a tail at the end that’s about four to six inches. Put the pencil on the rim of the glass to let the tail hang down into the solution. As you’re waiting for your crystals to form, keep the glass out of direct sun and away from doors or vents. The purpose is to keep the temperature constant.

Every day, take a few minutes to check the progress and track the growth. After about a week to ten days, take the pencil out of the jar. Don’t worry if there’s a layer of sugar that tries to keep it stuck, just break it off with a spoon. Then rinse your candy and put it on waxed paper to dry.

Make sure your kids write down what they believe is happening

This is a cool experiment that results in a tasty treat. Be sure to teach kids the science behind the crystals and why they’re “growing.” As with coding classes, this is a lesson taught that won’t even feel like a lesson!

If you want to learn more about winter coding classes for kids, why coding is great for them, or different ways you can get kids excited about science, CodeREV Kids is here to help.

Education

Is STEM Really Helping Kids Succeed in the Classroom?

There’s a lot of talk about hands-on STEM projects in classrooms and how they help kids, but do they really? At CodeREV Kids we’ve seen plenty of evidence that they do but we know that not everyone is convinced. Let’s cover some of the basics of STEM based learning and perhaps even those who are skeptical will have a better understanding.

Why a focus on STEM now?

Many parents wonder why all of a sudden they’re seeing a huge focus on STEM. The truth is that the U.S. Department of Labor statistics are a big part in why educational facilities are encouraging kids to get involved in STEM projects at an early age – because there are going to be an estimated 1.4 million new jobs in information technology by the time our kids are ready to start out in a career.

Not only are there are a lot of jobs in STEM fields, but these are jobs that pay higher than other jobs do. In fact, according to the most recent statistics, the most in-demand jobs in STEM fields include technology and engineering.

Jobs aren’t the only reason that parents are turning toward STEM though. STEM projects in schools can help kids prepare for the future in a number of ways, including giving kids the skills needed to tell the difference between a fact and an opinion.

Learning in a project-based atmosphere

Think about how you learn best. Is it by reading something in a book or by getting hands-on experience with it? If you’re like most people, you know that you learn best when you’re able to try something out for yourself. Do you think children are any different? Of course not. STEM topics are perfect for hands-on learning through robotics, Minecraft games, and much more.

Are you interested in getting your kids involved?

If you’re interested in getting your kids involved in coding, one of the most interesting STEM-based projects for kids, then CodeREV Kids welcomes the opportunity to work with you. We have classes after school throughout the year, camps available during school breaks, and we even offer programs at individual schools. If you have questions about your child’s options, or you want more information on why they should get involved, feel free to reach out to us. Our passion is helping your kids discover and build their own passion for technology.

 

Education

Why Are STEM Based Projects So Popular in Schools?

If you’ve been in an advanced classroom recently then you’ve likely seen some hands-on STEM based experiments going on. But why is the demand for STEM so popular, seemingly all of a sudden? Why is this acronym, which stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math, now a part of a parent’s vocabulary? CodeREV Kids is here to help it all make sense.

STEM does a lot for kids

It’s not a coincidence that classrooms across the country are embracing STEM. It helps increase a kid’s ability to solve problems, it encourages active learning, and it keeps kids engaged. The skills it teaches are crucial for success in the 21st century, and it’s a way to get kids involved in not just a single subject but at least two at a time – which teaches kids not just what they need to know but why they need to know it.

There’s a huge demand for STEM workers

According to the latest stats from the Department of Labor, there will be almost 1.5 million new information technology jobs by 2020. Not only is the demand for these jobs high, but these are jobs that may more than average. Of course, not all STEM jobs are the same – the Department of Labor predicts that the best and most in-demand jobs will be in engineering and technology.

It’s not all about jobs

No matter what career a field a child decides to go into later down the line, most parents want their children to be scientifically literate. They want them to know the difference between a fact and an opinion. They want them to be able to research and figure out what’s real and what’s not.

Project-based learning is important

In many cases, STEM-based classes are project based, which has gotten an increasingly good rep as the best way to teach kids. When kids learn via project-based learning, they don’t just memorize facts, they actually learn how to apply their new skills to real life situations. The types of classes offered by CodeREV Kids helps improve project planning skills, collaboration, and communication – all of which are useful skills for kids to have.

If you’re interested in getting your kids involved in STEM-based, hands-on learning, then it’s time to reach out to CodeREV Kids! We offer tons of class options and are happy to speak with you if you need help deciding what the best classes for your kids would be.