With school back in session, your children are busy learning something new every day. You can keep the learning going and help cultivate your child’s curiosity by exploring hands-on, educational STEM programs.
STEM based learning focuses on Science-Technology-Engineering- and Math; it opens up your child’s mind to explore what is, and what could be. Thankfully there are tons of fun STEM based opportunities in the Tri-State! Watch as your child marvels at the galaxy through a telescope, is awe struck by a long necked giraffe, or builds something brand new with their own hands. Explore these unique STEM opportunities to grow your child’s love of learning, and have a Happy Sep-STEM-ber!
Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Gardens’ Zoo Troop
3400 Vine Street Cincinnati, OH 45220
Register online https://store.cincinnatizoo.org/webstore or call 513-559-7767
Choose between Tue, Wed, FRE, or SAT for four weeks in a row
Various themes available in Sept. – Oct., Oct. – Nov., and Nov. – Dec.
Cost: varies depending on age group, Zoo Members receive a discount
Zoo Troop is designed for all of the children in your family, toddler through High School. Topics range from toddler troop themes like Count with Me! to a high school, five-week session on Animal Behavior. Sessions are geared to inspire your zookeepers to care about, and gain a better understanding of, the wild world that surrounds us. Activities include immersive games, songs, crafts, and meeting animal ambassadors.
Newport Aquarium’s Penguin Encounters
1 Levee Way, Newport, KY 41071
Register online https://store.newportaquarium.com/tickets/add-on.aspx or call 1-800-406-3474
Various time slots available daily
Cost: general admission plus $26.99 each, cardholder admission $21.59 each
Recommended for ages 4 and older
Join an Animal Experience Specialist during this 20-minute African penguin meet-and-greet. You will learn all about this waddling bird, and you will have lots of opportunities to take some up close photos. You may even get to touch a penguin, too!
Cincinnati Museum Center STEM
1301 Western Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45203
Programs listed are free for Members or with museum admission
513-287-7000 or cincymuseum.org
DesignCHALLENGE: Action Figure Floatation
Saturday, September 2, 1 p.m.
Can you keep an action figure afloat by crafting a floatation device?
STEAM Team: Perler Bead Tops
Saturday, September 16, 3 p.m.
Give it a whirl! Watch how movement affects color with this colorful spinning tops craft.
Building Big Ideas
Saturday, September 23, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Compete in challenges, design and play with your own creations, and meet the professionals who have made their passions into careers!
Boone County Public Library’s Little Clickers
Main Branch (ages 3-5), 1786 Burlington Pike, Burlington, KY 41005
Wed at 1 p.m. in September
Scheben Branch (ages 3-6), 8899 U.S. 42, Union, KY 41091
Fri at 1 p.m. in September
Bring your youngsters to the library to check out some books, and then stick around to teach them basic computer skills in this parent-child class.
Campbell County Public Library’s Full STEAM Ahead!
Carrico/Ft. Thomas Branch (ages 3 and older), 1000 Highland Ave, Fort Thomas, KY 41075
September 11, 7 p.m., Newport Aquarium will visit with a turtle friend!
September 18, 7 p.m., Get counting and measuring with tools to figure out how much, how long, and how many.
Kenton County Public Library’s STEM/STEAM/STREAM
KCPL’s three branches offer multiple STEM/STEAM/STREAM programs, including Wreck the Library: Tech Take Apart on Sept. 12 and 26 at 7 p.m. Grades 3 – 6 will take apart household items to see how they work. Check the web site for Lego Labs, Builders and Makers, Sensational Slime others.
Hamilton County Library’s Lego Club
Many Hamilton County Library branches have Lego Clubs, and programs. Browse our sample list of Lego Clubs, then check out even more at cincinnatilibrary.org/programs:
North Central Branch (ages 5-12): September 5, 7 – 8 p.m.
Miami Township Branch (grades K-6): September 9, 11 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Oakley Branch (RSVP required): September 13, 3 – 4 p.m.
Anderson Branch: September 16, 2 – 3 p.m.
Groesbeck Branch (ages 6-12); September 23, 2 – 3 p.m.
Cincinnati Nature Center’s Prepare for Night
4949 Tealtown Road, Milford, OH 45150
September 16, 5 – 10 p.m.
Cost: Nonmember child $8, nonmember adult $14 (Register prior to September 10 for savings, members receive an additional discount)
Bring your flashlight and make discoveries in the dark at this fun evening event. Learn about plants and animals at interactive booths, including live raptors! Then gaze at the night sky through a telescope. Pack a picnic for dinner, or purchase a meal from a food truck, savor some free ice cream for dessert, then dance the night away to live music.
Great Parks of Hamilton County’s Raptors!
Lake Isabella/Quarry Bluff, 10174 Loveland Madeira Road, September 2, 12 – 4 p.m.
Mitchell Memorial Forest/ Stone Shelter, 5401 Zion Road, September 3, 12 – 4 p.m.
513-521-7275 or greatparks.org
Kick off your holiday weekend by meeting some majestic birds of prey, including some from Raptor, Inc. These birds are rescued and rehabilitated local birds with great stories to tell.
AFTER SCHOOL STEM FUN
Drake Science Center’s After School STEM programs
2060 Sherman Avenue, Norwood, OH 54212
513-396-5578 or drakeplantearium.org
Cost: Classes are one hour per week for five weeks ($65), six weeks ($75), or seven weeks ($85)
Drake Planetarium and Science Center has 30 years of offering fun, hands-on science programs in afterschool settings. Program themes vary from Girl Power: Girls STEM, robotics, invention, and more!
Junior Tech Academy
Various Greater Cincinnati locations, visit juniortechacademy.com
Cost: Varies, starting at $150 for eight weeks of one-hour classes
Junior Tech Academy has a unique ongoing technology education afterschool program. Pick from several topics in areas such as robotics, electronics, and video animation. Learn the principles behind the technology, then complete fun projects like making video games, building Minecraft Mods, or programming robots.
Cincinnati Observatory’s Scopeout Astronomy Fair
3489 Observatory Place, Cincinnati, OH 45208
513-321-5186 or cincinnatiobservatory.org
September 23, 12 – 5 p.m. free, 9 – 11 p.m. $5 donation suggested
Join the Observatory for a day (and night) of good times. From 12 – 5 p.m., check out the historic buildings, give various kids activities a try, and watch interactive science demos. Several hands-on, kid friendly booths will be set up to highlight local astronomy groups. You can even get professional help with your own telescope. Come back once the sun goes down to give the night sky a closer look with the Observatory’s telescopes.
Haile Digital Planetarium at NKU featuring New Horizons
409 Natural Science Center, Highland Heights, KY 41099
Visit nku.eventsair.com/planetarium/shows/Site/Register for free registration
September 1 and 15, 7:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Family-friendly, fun, free, AND educational! New Horizons follows the journey of a comet through space. Your little astronauts will love the breathtaking landscape views, including Saturn’s icy rings!
iSpace: 13th Annual iSpace Day
300 Scarlet Oaks Drive, Cincinnati, OH 45241
513-612-5786 or ispacestem.org
October 7, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Ride a hovercraft, try on a spacesuit, launch rockets, look through a telescope, and so much more. Spend your Saturday exploring the latest in 3D Printing, aircraft engines, GPS, drone technology, and other amazing advancements in STEM!
STEM FOR GIRLS
Word is that girls aren’t that interested in science, or haven’t been encouraged to be so. But thanks to a handful of local programs, there are plenty of STEM opportunities aimed just at girls!
STEM Girls at Cincinnati Museum Center
Although these programs for ages 8 – 14 have sold out, you can call 513-287-7000 to be put on a waiting list.
Girls in STEM: Greater Cincinnati STEM Collaborative
GCSC is a non-profit that involves boys and girls of all ages, but with their thumb on the pulse of Cincinnati STEM happenings, these guys can point you in the right direction for programs specifically for girls.
Rosie’s Girls at YWCA Greater Cincinnati
Rosie’s Girls is a summer program for ages 11 – 13 designed to introduce girls to STEM-related careers, all while building confidence and some pretty awesome skills like carpentry. Check the web site in the spring to sign up.
Another popular summer program just for girls ages 8 – 12, Blossom offers day camps that introduce girls to STEM concepts like robotics and computer programming. Scholarships are available.