STEM = Science, Technology, Engineering and Math

STEM enthusiasts and future innovators!

In June and July of 2024, we will be moving to Mondays at the Glen Ellyn Public Library from 3:00 p.m. to 3:45 p.m. (Set up will be at 2:30 p.m.) No STEM workshop in August.

Glen Ellyn Public Library Schedule

Tuesday, March 26, 2024 Wobbly Robots

Description: In this workshop, students will learn how to build a robot out of a plastic cup.

Tuesday, April 23, 2024 DNA of Strawberries

Description: In this workshop, students will extract DNA from strawberries and learn about heredity.

Tuesday, May 28, 2024 Fun with Polymers

Description: In this workshop, student will learn about polymers and make a bouncy ball and depending on time they will make other polymer projects.

Monday, June 17, 2024 DaVinci Bridge

Description: Students will learn about bridge design and then build bridges using ordinary items like pencils and rubber bands to determine which design will hold the most weight. If time permits, students working in teams will design their own bridge and challenge other teams on which holds the most weight.

Monday, July 15, 2024 Loop de Loop – Paper Airplanes

Description: Students will learn about aerodynamics by designing several different paper airplanes and see how drag effects the distance that the planes will fly. Learn how the shape of the plane is affected by gravity, weight, lift and thrust? Students will have a chance to try their skills at building their own paper airplanes.

SCIENCE GIRLS ON THE GO™

During the pandemic, the branch developed Science Girls on the Go™ boxes as a way for parents to help their children stay connected to the fun of doing science at home. We continue to periodically offer these projects in three locations in Wheaton and Glen Ellyn.

For free science projects to do with children, visit our
Science Girls on the Go™ boxes in Wheaton at 1445 Brentwood Lane and 1516 Paula Avenue and in Glen Ellyn at 373 Oak Street.

For many years, AAUW nationally and locally, our branch, have supported initiatives to encourage girls and young women to develop interest in the STEM fields of study. Women have historically been underrepresented in these fields.

Our current initiative, Science Girls on the Go™, was inspired by the restrictions of the pandemic. Students (K-12) in our communities weren’t able to physically meet with us to do science projects. How might our branch accomplish hands-on science and feel that we are continuing to participate in a Wheaton-Glen Ellyn Branch STEM event? How can
we have a STEM event for children with social distancing? We came up with Science Girls on the Go™, modeled on the “Little Free Libraries” popular in our communities.

In the summer of 2020, we installed “Go” boxes in Wheaton and in Glen Ellyn. Each box contains science kits in zip-lock packets that a parent and child can do together with ingredients typically found around the house. The first project, “A Cartesian Diver” was very successful. The second project will involve making a kaleidoscope. Click here for more information.

Pictured is a Science Girls on the Go™ kit related to chromatography!

Camaraderie ruled as Branch members recently assembled new Science Girls on the Go kits!

Branch STEM Chair, Fran Kravitz, leads a group of young learners through a lesson on chromatography.

These sweet smiles say it all! Future scientists in the making!

Future scientists!