Galactic STEAM Lab

Where Science, Systems, and the Force Converge Step into a high-energy research lab inspired by a galaxy far, far away. In Galactic STEAM Lab, students tackle real scientific investigations and engineering challenges. They will be experimenting with energy and light, building and programming systems, testing materials, and designing solutions under constraints. This is hands-on, inquiry-driven STEAM at its best: students test ideas, analyze results, iterate designs, and defend their thinking. The experience is immersive and imaginative, but the learning is grounded in real science, engineering, and systems thinking. Built for curious minds ready to unlock the science behind the Force.

March 10, 17, 24, 31 April 7, 14, 21, 28, May 5, 12

Ages 10-14

Cost is $200 per student

Registration opens Feb. 10
Limited space is available.

Last Year’s STEAM Club Activities

Pigments – The Science of Color
Tuesday, Feb 22

Instructors: Dana Emmert, assistant professor of chemistry

Students will create paint pigments by mixing differing ratios of solutions together. Creating an array of colors. Then utilize what they created to produce a work of art. Learning how science creates the colors around them. Explaining how humans perceive color; and the visual effects of how colors mix, match or contrast with each other.

Waste to Energy
Tuesday, March 8

Instructors: Nathan Tice, Ph.D. chair of the department of physical sciences and associate professor of chemistry; and Gwynne S. Rife, Ph.D. chair of advanced professional programs in the college of education and professor of biological sciences

Come and explore both the science and art of soybeans! Students will engage in hands-on experiments to learn about biofuels and oils derived from soybeans and how they can turn soybean waste into energy.

Rockets & Racecars
Tuesday, March 22

Instructors: Guofen (Heather) Yu, Ph.D., professor of physics; and Landon Bellavia, Ph.D., assistant professor of physics

Students will be introduced to the basic rocketry concepts of Newtonʼs Laws of Motion and the Engineering Design Process while learning about aerodynamics and aerospace engineering principals, as well as the challenges that engineers face in designing machines for motion.

Hands in Motion
Tuesday, April 12

Instructors: LaDonna Weir, OTD, assistant professor in occupational therapy; Megan McLaughlin, MOT, instructor of teaching in occupational therapy; and Rebecca Herr, OTD, assistant professor of teaching in occupational therapy

Learn about the motion of your fingers, thumb, and wrist and the important roles they play in everyday life. From experiments with real hands to creating a modular bionic hand. Students will learn the importance and value of their body mechanics.

What about wastewater?
Tuesday, April 26

Instructors: Kim M. Lichtveld, Ph.D., assistant professor of environmental, safety, and occupational health management; and Seth Ebersviller, PH.D. – assistant professor of environmental, safety, and occupational health management

How does the environment naturally clean water and why should we think about how and where we build new communities? How does the water get cleaned due to the soil, how does water erode different landscapes and how we as a society help this by keeping our natural resources present like out wetlands.