After-school program for Mohawk Valley area students in grades 6-8
ROME, NY — The Air Force Research Laboratory Information Directorate’s (AFRL/RI) STEM Outreach Program, in partnership with the Griffiss Institute (GI), is thrilled to announce a new STEM initiative for 2021, the Air Force Virtual Engineering Club.
The Air Force Virtual Engineering Club is a free, after-school club designed to engage Mohawk Valley area middle school students in using their minds and hands to learn basic principles of engineering by designing, building, testing, and redesigning their own working devices. The curriculum combines guided investigations with fun, open-ended design challenges, emphasizing hands-on experience in solving practical engineering problems through creativity and the application of scientific ideas.
Up to 20 students, in grades 6-8, will work in online groups, and in solo home activities, using recycled or inexpensive craft materials and simple electronic components to build and test their own engineering creations. Materials will be provided, and no prior experience is required.
“The Air Force Research Laboratory Information Directorate is committed to continuing its STEM outreach in spite of the challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic,” says Jeff DeMatteis, the AFRL/RI STEM Program Manager.
The Air Force Virtual Engineering Club will run for 8-weeks, on Wednesdays, beginning on February 24, 2021.
The details are as follows:
Dates:
- Wednesday, February 24, 2021
- Wednesday, March 3, 2021
- Wednesday, March 10, 2021
- Wednesday, March 17, 2021
- Wednesday, March 24, 2021
- Wednesday, March 31, 2021
- Wednesday, April 14, 2021
- Wednesday, April 21, 2021
Time: 3:30 – 5:00 pm
Place: Online- Zoom Live Stream
Cost: FREE
Age Group: Grades 6th – 8th
Max Club Size: 20 students. Spots will be filled on first-come-first-serve basis.
Online registration for the virtual club is now open. To learn more and to register, please visit: https://www.griffissinstitute.org/stem-engineering-club
