H3XL

We were so excited to discover a new place to create and learn, and with a STEM twist! H3XL is a really cool space for kids to explore the creative side of science, technology, engineering, and math. You can drop in to their maker space with your child for building and creating with some seriously awesome tools and toys, or sign up for a class in programming, engineering, electronics, and more. Check out their lasercut model home construction and decoration class. They offer birthday parties, too: Your child can choose from themes like hydrogen, oxygen, erbium and silicone. If you’d prefer, they will also bring the party to you!

Location: 25 Adams Street, Burlington, MA 01803
Contact: 781-202-5645 or info@h3xl.com
Drop-In Hours: Monday-Wednesday 3-6 pm, Thursday 1-6 pm, Friday 3-6 pm, Saturday 10 am-6 pm, Sunday 1-6 pm
Ages: Classes offered for kids in grades K-12
Cost: $12 per child for two hours in creative/maker space (drop-in), one accompanying adult free

AAAS Family Science Days (February 16-17, 2013) 

Go for Family Science Days during the Annual Meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) to meet the scientists. Your middle or high schooler can find out about cool jobs, ask questions, dig for artifacts, paint with bacteria, explore nanotechnology in everyday objects, and tour the universe.

Location: Hynes Convention Center, Exhibit Hall D, 415 Summer St, Boston, MA 02115
Contact: CommunicatingScience@aaas.org
Dates & Times: February 16-17, 12-4 pm
Ages: Open to all, but recommended for grades 6-12
Cost: Free

Cambridge Science Festival Curiosity Challenge 

The Cambridge Science Festival is daring students between the ages of 5 and 14 to take the Cambridge Science Festival’s Curiosity Challenge: Kids write an essay, draw, or take a picture about their curiosity and explain how it prompted them to explore their world. They enter their essay or artwork in the Curiosity Challenge by submitting it at any Cambridge Public School or Cambridge Public Library branch or at the MIT Museum by February 8, 2013. Winners will be honored at The Curiosity Challenge celebration at the Cambridge Science Festival April 21, 2013 – what a great way to boost you child’s science confidence!

Science Club for Girls CELLS Program 

The Science Club for Girls is accepting applications from girls in grades 6-12 for their spring Teen Programs. Girls can apply for positions as mentors, designers, and programmers. They will have the chance to earn up to $110, get community service hours, learn about science careers, and go on field trips to places like Microsoft and Google – all while making new friends, gaining leadership skills and confidence, and having fun. This is seriously a win-win situation.

Location: Various sites throughout Boston and Cambridge
Contact: Erika O’Bannon, Teen Program Director, eobannon@scienceclubforgirls.org or 617-391-0361 x3
Ages: Grades 6-12
Cost: Free (in fact, the girls may earn money)

MIT STEM Summer Institute 

I wish my kids were old enough to apply for the MIT STEM Summer Institute, a five-week program that introduces students to a college prep curriculum with courses in physics, chemistry, probability and statistics and more. The Institute is open to talented students from Boston, Cambridge and Lawrence public schools currently in grades 5 to 8. Be forewarned – the program is very selective. However, if your child does get selected, it will be an incredible opportunity for college prep, exploring STEM careers, meeting other kids with similar interests, and learning a racquet sport (at MIT, they play almost as hard as they work).

Location: MIT, Office of Engineering Outreach Programs, Bldg 1-123, 77 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA, 02139
Contact: e-mail the MIT Office of Engineering Outreach Programs at stem@mit.edu or call 617-253-8051 Monday, 10:00 am and 12:00 pm and Wednesday between 3:00 and 5:00
Ages: Entering grades 6-12 in Fall 2013
Cost: Free for accepted students (and includes breakfast and lunch and bus transportation from select locations in Lawrence and Boston)