April/May 2021 Makerspace projects
April/May 2021 Makerspace projects
Check out these fun challenges for April and May!
Check out these fun challenges for April and May!
Embedded Files
Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month
Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month
Ted Fujita
Ted Fujita
This week, we’ll take a look at another important Asian-American in the STEM fields. Ted Fujita was born in Japan, then moved to the United States to join the meteorology department at the University of Chicago, where he studied weather. He is most famous for his contributions to tornado research, including the creation of the Fujita scale, which classifies tornadoes based on their intensity.
Learn
Learn
Video, Ted Fujita, Mr. Tornado (PBS)
Article, Fujita Scale (Kiddle)
Tornado simulator (SciJinks)
Video, What is a Tornado? (SciShow Kids)
Make
Make
The damage done to an area by a tornado is caused by the strong winds they create. One tool used to measure wind speed is an anemometer. Use this link for directions and a video about how to make an anemometer at home using materials like small paper cups, straws, a pin, and a pencil with an eraser.
Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month
Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month
I. M. Pei
I. M. Pei
I. M. Pei was one of the world’s most famous architects. Born in China in 1917, he came to America to study architecture – the design of buildings. During his long career, he designed well-known and innovative structures all over the world. He died in 2019 at the age of 102.
Learn more about his life and famous buildings using these links:
Article, I.M. Pei, Designer of Amazing Buildings (News for Kids)
Video, Renowned architect I.M. Pei dies at 102, leaves rich legacy of modern design (CNBC)
Louvre Museum
One of I.M. Pei’s most famous projects is the entrance to the famous Louvre Museum in Paris. It consists of a large glass and metal pyramid surrounded by three smaller pyramids . It was a controversial design when it was built in the 1980s, but since then has become a much-loved landmark of the city.
Pyramid challenges
Use materials to construct a pyramid that can stand on its own. Here are three different sets of materials to try:
Toothpicks and clay (you can also try marshmallows or gumdrops)
Playing cards or index cards
Straws and tape
Mother's Day
Mother's Day
Flowers are one of the most popular gifts for Mother’s Day, which in 2021 is celebrated on Sunday, May 9 in the United States. How about adding a little science to this year’s holiday by doing a flower experiment? The first thing you will need is a white flower – preferably a daffodil, tulip, or chrysanthemum. You also will need a cup, food coloring, water, and scissors. Try it out and make a special present for that special mom or mother figure in your life!
Dyed Flower experiment (Science Fun for Everyone) – Note: These directions call for 3 drops of food coloring, but add more for a better effect.
Capillary Action
Capillary Action
This experiment is an introduction to something called capillary action, a process that happens because of the forces of cohesion and adhesion.
What is it about water that makes this experiment work? Find out at these links!
Article, Water Buoyancy, Cohesion & Adhesion (Kids Discover)
Video, Properties of Water (Amoeba Sisters)
Additional experiments to try:
Video, The Color-Changing Celery Experiment (SciShow Kids)
Video, Walking Water (Science Buddies)
Empire State Building
Empire State Building
The Empire State Building is one of the most famous and recognized buildings in the world. Built in the art deco architecture style of the time period, it first opened on May 1, 1931. At the time it was the tallest building in the world, and it would hold that record for 40 years. It has 102 floors, and the height of the roof is 1,250 feet. Counting the spire and antenna, the building towers 1,454 feet above the ground! It has been seen in many movies, including King Kong (1933 and 2005) and Independence Day.
Learn
Learn
Fun Facts (Ducksters)
Video, 1,454 Feet by the Numbers (Bloomberg)
Video, Empire State Building unveils new 102nd-floor observatory (Al Jazeera)
39 Photos That Show The Danger Of Constructing The Empire State Building (History Daily)
Recycling
Recycling
Recycling is the process of taking materials ready to be thrown away (also called waste) and remaking them into new materials and products. It is an important way to reduce the amount of garbage that is thrown away. Find out how recycling works, what can be recycled (you might be surprised!), and play some games. Then try building your own recycling sorting machine!
Recycling Basics
Recycling Basics
Video, How Recycling Works! (SciShow Kids)
Article, Tour a Recycling Center (National Geographic Kids) – Check out what happens to your recyclables after they leave your house.
I Want to Be… – at this website, pick a material like glass or paper to learn what, why, and how it can be recycled.
Games
Games
Recycling Waste (TurtleDiary) – Sort the stuff people throw away and put it in the proper bin.
Sustainable Shaun – Help Shaun the Sheep build a new eco-friendly city for the stray animals of the Big City.
Roscoe’s Recycle Room – Learn amazing facts about recycling and its impact on the environment, then play some fun games.
STEM Project
STEM Project
Recycling Sorting Machine – You'll need some magnets to do this project. See if you have some old refrigerator magnets you can use.
Earth Day 2021
Earth Day 2021
April 22 is Earth Day, an annual event to increase awareness about environmental issues like pollution and climate change. Since the first Earth Day in 1970, it has grown into a global celebration that brings attention to the need for people to take action to protect our planet. One of the big ideas that emerged from this movement has been the importance of eliminating waste (anything we throw away) with the three R’s: reduce, reuse, recycle. This week’s Makerspace project lets you help the environment by doing two of these: reduce and reuse.
Video, DIY | NO Sew T-Shirt Bag (WhatsUpMoms)
What do you do with your old clothes? Sometimes people give these close to others to wear, and sometimes they just throw them out. If you have an old shirt lying around, reuse it by making it into a tote bag to carry groceries in. Just follow this easy video – and there’s no sewing involved!
How does this project also protect the environment by reducing? By bringing your t-shirt tote bag when you go to the store, you reduce the number of paper or plastic bags that the store uses. Many of these bags are just thrown away, which adds to the accumulation of waste in landfills.
The average American throws away more than 4 pounds of trash every single day! Learn more about eliminating waste by reducing, reusing, and recycling.
Article, Reduce Your Waste (National Geographic Kids)
Article, 10 Tips to Reduce Your Plastic Use (National Geographic Kids)
Recycle City – explore this interactive website to see how cities recycle, reduce, and reuse waste.
Mars Perseverance Rover
Mars Perseverance Rover
On February 18, NASA’s Perseverance rover landed on Mars after traveling through space for over six months. This 300-million-mile journey was not an easy one, and the landing was even more hazardous as you can see in this video simulation. Fortunately, Perseverance landed safely and began its mission of searching for evidence of ancient microbial life and studying the climate and geology of Mars. In addition, the rover is sending back images of the planet, recording sounds, and launching a mini-helicopter!
Read about this exciting, new rover mission:
Exploring Mars (Time for Kids)
NASA's Perseverance Rover Successfully Lands On The Red Planet (Dogo News)
Listen to NASA scientist Christina Hernandez talk about being a female Latina scientist working on the rover that recently landed on Mars.
Find games, print coloring sheets, and learn about previous rover missions at this fun, interactive NASA website.
Now take on this rover building project from the folks at PBS’s Design Squad. It’s a bit challenging to create this rubber band-powered vehicle, but give it a try! And even though the directions call it a Moon rover, we’ll go ahead and make it fit with this week’s Mars theme.
Women in STEM
Women in STEM
Celebrating women scientists, inventors, and explorers doesn't end just because it's now April! Enjoy these articles and videos about women who are traveling to space, developing video games, sharing their passion for science, helping in the fight against COVID-19, and making science more open and inclusive.
Articles
Articles
Hayley Arceneaux To Become The Youngest American To Go To Space (DogoNews) – Learn about Hayley Arceneaux, who survived cancer as a child and will be the youngest American to travel to space – and the first with a prosthetic limb.
Video Game Developers Aim to Make the Industry More Appealing to Girls (Washington Post) – Meet 2 women video game developers on a mission to diversify the industry.
8 Questions for Ainissa Ramirez (Time for Kids) – Scientist and author Ainissa Ramirez answers 8 questions about the power of science and what has inspired her career.
Ready to Experiment? (Time for Kids) – The host of a new Netflix show called Emily’s Wonder Lab shares her love of science!
Woman Play an Essential Role in Coronavirus Battle, as They Have in Many Areas of Medicine (Washington Post) – As the world has battled against COVID-19, women have played key roles in safeguarding the public’s health.
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