WESTLAKE STEAM SYMPOSIUM

Have you ever wondered how to see a living human brain without cutting open someone's head? Join us and meet Swoop®, the world's first FDA-cleared MRI system that can go anywhere and plug into a regular electrical outlet (we'll explain why this is such a big deal)!

In this workshop, you'll learn about MRI technology and the extraordinary techniques that make this modern marvel possible. In addition, we'll scan a live subject (one of your teachers volunteered). Afterward, we'll play a game where we'll scan objects, and you'll have to guess what they are by looking at them from the inside out.

B-2 --- Miss, A-10 --- Hit. If you've played Battleship, you've instinctively used your knowledge of graphs to locate and sink your opponent's navy. This workshop will add sophistication to that knowledge. You will use Vernier Probes to show math and science concepts blended together, and the Vernier Motion Sensor to predict resulting graphs. What type of graph would you get if you quickly walked toward a wall and then walked away? If a slinky descended down a light of stairs, what type of graph would it make? Now imagine playing Battleship slightly differently. This time we will build 3D boards out of Legos, and fire a small steel ball from a Vernier Projectile Launcher to sink the ship!

The FBI's Counterintelligence Division is looking for an elusive spy who fled the country. The only evidence that was left behind is a letter written in secret code. In this workshop, students must decipher clues and follow the spy's escape and return him to justice. You will learn how to use cryptography, ciphers and algorithms to help solve this mystery.

Investigative scientists understand the value of recording and identifying fingerprints that are unique to each individual as an important piece of forensic evidence. This workshop will focus on the proper documentation, collection and analysis of fingerprints. Topics will include photography and lifting of fingerprints, and the analysis of fingerprints. Students will have the opportunity to compare known fingerprints, to fingerprints found at a crime scene.

Ever wondered why Pringles are so addictive? There’s a reason why “once you pop, you can’t stop”! Did you know that your eyes don't always tell you the truth?

In this workshop, students will have an opportunity to test their senses with interactive food and drinks exercises, and find out if they've got what it takes to be one of our expert taste testers!

From Neuroscience to Chemistry, students will learn what it takes to become a Sensory Scientist, and why food and drink companies rely on research to improve their products and keep you buying more!

In this workshop, students will learn about the many types of work encompassed by the veterinary professions. We will discuss veterinary medicine, veterinary nursing, and the many environments in which we work. Students will view animal skeletal materials, X-ray images, and learn about common diagnostic equipment. A brief virtual training session in animal first aid will be included. A "current events" section will have students play disease detectives in relation to a zoonotic disease outbreak. A question and answer session will follow.

Have you ever wondered how to see a living human brain without cutting open someone's head? Join us and meet Swoop®, the world's first FDA-cleared MRI system that can go anywhere and plug into a regular electrical outlet (we'll explain why this is such a big deal)!

In this workshop, you'll learn about MRI technology and the extraordinary techniques that make this modern marvel possible. In addition, we'll scan a live subject (one of your teachers volunteered). Afterward, we'll play a game where we'll scan objects, and you'll have to guess what they are by looking at them from the inside out.

The FBI's Counterintelligence Division is looking for an elusive spy who fled the country. The only evidence that was left behind is a piece of paper with symbols on it. In this workshop, students must decipher clues and follow the spy's escape and return him to justice. You will learn how to use cryptography, ciphers and algorithms to help solve this mystery.

This workshop will focus on the proper documentation, collection and analysis of footwear impressions. Topics will include photography, casting and lifting of unknown impressions and the analysis of footwear impressions.

Students will have the opportunity to photograph, cast and compare known footwear to footwear impressions found at a “crime scene”.

Curious about the inner workings of smartphones, computers, and robots? Our Introduction to Arduino workshop will take a deeper look at the use of microcontrollers in everyday technology through covering the basics of both Arduino wiring and programming! Students will get hands on experience building circuits with the guidance of our instructors while gaining an understanding of electrical and computer engineering.

Ever wondered why Pringles are so addictive? There’s a reason why “once you pop, you can’t stop”! Did you know that your eyes don't always tell you the truth?

In this workshop, students will have an opportunity to test their senses with interactive food and drinks exercises, and find out if they've got what it takes to be one of our expert taste testers!

From Neuroscience to Chemistry, students will learn what it takes to become a Sensory Scientist, and why food and drink companies rely on research to improve their products and keep you buying more!

In this workshop, students will learn about the many types of work encompassed by the veterinary professions. We will discuss veterinary medicine, veterinary nursing, and the many environments in which we work. Students will view animal skeletal materials, X-ray images, and learn about common diagnostic equipment. A brief virtual training session in animal first aid will be included. A "current events" section will have students play disease detectives in relation to a zoonotic disease outbreak. A question and answer session will follow.

Have you ever wondered how to see a living human brain without cutting open someone's head? Join us and meet Swoop®, the world's first FDA-cleared MRI system that can go anywhere and plug into a regular electrical outlet (we'll explain why this is such a big deal)!

In this workshop, you'll learn about MRI technology and the extraordinary techniques that make this modern marvel possible. In addition, we'll scan a live subject (one of your teachers volunteered). Afterward, we'll play a game where we'll scan objects, and you'll have to guess what they are by looking at them from the inside out.

Putt-Putt Boats, also known as Pop Pop Boats or Candle Boats, are seen today chugging along in outdoor markets in Bangladesh in Southern Asia, but they were once popular around the world. One of the earliest known patents was given to Thomas Plot, a French inventor, in 1891. You can make the body of the boat from a recycled mile or juice carton, which is water-proof, paintable and easy to cut. The engine is made from a cut-up aluminum soft drink can and drinking straw. Engineers often design existing products, and that is exactly what we will do in this workshop. After our boat is built, we will offer redesign tips to see if we could improve the functionality of this boat. Boats can be made and brought home! (Captain and crew not included.)

Curious about the inner workings of smartphones, computers, and robots? Our Introduction to Arduino workshop will take a deeper look at the use of microcontrollers in everyday technology through covering the basics of both Arduino wiring and programming! Students will get hands on experience building circuits with the guidance of our instructors while gaining an understanding of electrical and computer engineering.

Quantum Computing will soon be able to crack every password on the planet - here's how: it uses subatomic particles to compute every possibility of imaginary numbers or real numbers from negative one to zero to positive one to find a result more quickly than any regular computer of today. Let's explore how to program a real quantum computer on the IBM's Q-Experience quantum computing platform.

Have you ever wanted to make ear-rattling trap beats, or write a heart-wrenching ballad? Well in "Writing Music In The Tech-Roaring 20’s" you will gain a first hand glance at how music is made in today's tech-driven world!

Our time will consist of a brief introduction to composition, songwriting, and production in the context of the the best and most accessible software on which to perform them (GarageBand, Noteflight, Logic, Finale, etc.) followed by 1-2 interactive activities doing some composition songwriting and production of our own! Experience in one or more of these areas/platforms is good, but not necessary. Only an interest in music and/or using technology to make it is required for this workshop! (P.S. If you play/own an instrument, bring it!)

Design Thinking has become an extremely popular approach to problem-solving and is utilized by a variety of professionals today. Design Thinking is a user-centered framework to solve problems in a creative and practical way.

In this workshop, students will be introduced to the fundamental concepts of Design Thinking and will come away with key tools to approach and brainstorm problems and design solutions with a focus on the end user. This workshop will spark innovation and inspire creativity!

This workshop gives students an opportunity to see and learn about unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), also known as drones. Drone pilots are in demand in a variety of fields, including media, commerce, agriculture, and law enforcement. But drones have also been controversial, raising questions about privacy and safety. This workshop will include a drone demonstration, examples of who’s using drones and how, and information on what it takes to become an FAA-certified drone pilot.

Cooking can be similar to a chemical equation - identify your elements (ingredients), combine them in a systematic manner, apply a form of energy, and get a chemical reaction. In this workshop, you will discover the chemistry of ice cream by making and eating your own!

You may know endorphins as feel-good chemicals that boost happiness and reduce pain. They’re a lot more than that and may just play a broader role in our body. Although there’s still a lot we don’t understand about endorphins, findings of research studies indicate exciting possibilities from raising endorphins levels, for both body and mind.

In this workshop, students will not only learn about how movement can increase endorphin production, they will also reap the benefits first-hand. Anja and Samantha will lead a fun, amazing workout routine you can do from home then a calming, dynamic yoga session to integrate everything learned from the session.

You might know Fujifilm for its instant [Instax] and digital cameras, but did you know the company began applying its expertise in imaging to improve human health in 1936? Today, Fujifilm’s medical imaging innovations are in healthcare facilities across the globe. Health conditions that once required surgical intervention can now be addressed without making an incision.

Join this session to learn about diseases that can be detected, diagnosed, and treated endoscopically; get a demonstration on Fujifilm's endoscopic imaging solutions; learn how artificial intelligence can support doctors during endoscopic procedures, and then try it yourself!

That’s right! You’ll gain hands-on experience using an endoscope to visualize the inside of a model organ giving you the chance to see what physicians see during procedures.

Are you ready to build an underwater robot? Then this is the workshop for you! Working in teams, students will be guided through a hands-on project in which they build a SeaPerch, an underwater Remotely Operated Vehicle or ROV.

Participants will learn how ROVs are used when diving by humans is impractical or dangerous. These devices are the cornerstone of aquatic robotics and ground breaking technology.

What do self-driving cars, Alexa, and iPhone's face recognition technology have in common? They are driven by modern advances in artificial intelligence. Whether you’re interested in law, healthcare, art, or economics, AI is poised to transform every discipline and industry in the future. AI is already all around us today, and in this session, we will learn about topics including computer vision, natural language processing, and neural networks.

In this workshop, students will learn the fundamentals of archaeology including basic terminology, techniques, and the history of the field. You will engage in multiple hands-on activities to better understand the exciting role of an archeologist. After this workshop, you will think about your world and what you leave behind in a completely different way!

This workshop gives students an opportunity to see and learn about unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), also known as drones. Drone pilots are in demand in a variety of fields, including media, commerce, agriculture, and law enforcement. But drones have also been controversial, raising questions about privacy and safety. This workshop will include a drone demonstration, examples of who’s using drones and how, and information on what it takes to become an FAA-certified drone pilot.

Cooking can be similar to a chemical equation - identify your elements (ingredients), combine them in a systematic manner, apply a form of energy, and get a chemical reaction. In this workshop, you will discover the chemistry of ice cream by making and eating your own!

Are you ready to build an underwater robot? Then this is the workshop for you! Working in teams, students will be guided through a hands-on project in which they build a SeaPerch, an underwater Remotely Operated Vehicle or ROV.

Participants will learn how ROVs are used when diving by humans is impractical or dangerous. These devices are the cornerstone of aquatic robotics and ground breaking technology.

Though you can’t see X-rays, they help doctors to visualize what’s inside of your body. In this session you will learn about what X-rays are, how they are created, and how they interact with your bones, tissues and organs to create “pictures” for the doctor to look at. This session will also present X-ray pictures that were taken of various human and animal patients.

Join this session to learn about what X-rays are and how they are created; see different ways that X-rays are used to create both “still” and “moving” X-ray images from within the human body and learn some of the medical conditions that can be identified using X-ray imaging.

In this Breakout Box activity, students will work together and think critically to "break into" locked boxes. You must solve challenging puzzles and follow directions carefully to succeed.

The Banana Piano has become synonymous with Makey Makey. In this activity, bananas become the piano keys when connected to the Makey Makey with alligator clips. Students will be astonished when they realize they can make music just by tapping on a row of bananas. Experiment with circuitry by turning various items into a computer key. Be prepared to create your first musical banana keyboard!

True or False: "Faster is better?" In this activity, you will drive a Sphero robot around a race track to explore the Draw Canvas and maintain control over your racer. Teams of students will program their robots to drive around a series of tracks at both high and low speeds.