[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Got a curious kid? STEM Sundays is the name of Scienceworks’ robotics and coding workshops, held most Sundays 1-2:30pm. It’s a great way to introduce young primary school-age children to the wonders of science, technology, engineering and math.
The STEM Sundays program has three different workshops available for ages 5 – 12 years: Lego Robotics and Coding (8 – 12 years), Storytelling with ScratchJr (5 – 7 years) and Makey Makey (6 – 10 years). There is also an adults-only session of beginners robotics. Tickets range from $25 – $40 on top of museum general admission.
Lady AB (8yo) and I are invited to join in the Makey Makey session. Makey Makey is an invention kit particularly good for kids as it’s a simple electronic device that connects to a laptop. The device takes the place of a keyboard or game controller. Once plugged in, you can control the computer with all kinds of wires and circuitry!
We work in pairs of one adult and one child to tinker with Makey Makey connected to a laptop. We experiment with conductive materials to make a piano keyboard out of knives and hairpins, then use a graphite pencil to draw lines on a paper plate and play tunes by touching the lines.
After the intial instructions staff move around the room to help, provide suggestions and challenges. Everyone can proceed at their own pace.
There are loads of Makey Makey videos on Youtube and for inspiration, we watch cool examples of people using Makey Makey to make music. Lady AB is desperate to get a Makey Makey of her own!
As with all the STEM Sundays workshops, the Makey Makey workshops take 90 minutes (though you don’t have to stay the whole time if you’re done experimenting). The workshop is suitable for ages 6-10 years and all children must be accompanied by an adult. There are only a limited number of spots due to the number of devices, so make sure you book to avoid disappointment.
Click here for my reviews of other programs and exhibitions at Scienceworks – Ground Up learning and play space for under 5s, Beyond Perception space for teens and Little Sparks early years STEM workshops.
Click here for my reviews of the best child-friendly cafes near Scienceworks – Duchess of Spotswood and Doyle and Sons
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text el_class=”thon-hot-tips-panel”]HOT Tips:
- STEM Sundays workshops require a fee on top of general museum entry;
- Children must be accompanied by an adult;
- To get the most out of the workshop, Sciencework recommends that adults work with a single child;
- Adults are free if accompanying a child to a children’s workshop;
- maximum one adult attending per child; and
- different workshops are for different age groups.
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