New Lab Jr. program sparks interest in science from an early age
ROANOKE, Va. – The Science Museum of Western Virginia isn’t wasting any time when it comes to prepping the world’s future scientists. Registration is now available for The LAB Jr., where kids 3 to 5 years old can learn and practice their scientist skills. This is the younger version of The Lab, which the museum launched last summer for students grades K-5. The eight-week program starts Tuesday, April 6 if parents choose the Tuesday classes or Thursday, April 8 for the Thursday classes. Baako told 10 News as a staff, they saw a gap in early STEAM education.
Girl Scouts of Skyline VA bring STEM initiatives on the road
ROANOKE, Va – Girl Scouts of Virginia Skyline Council is hoping to take their love of science and math on the road. Friday, the organization cut the ribbon on its new STEM mobile which will allow troops in 36 counties to close the gap in educational technology and allow for more interest in STEM at an early age. The project hopes to help inspire more women to get involved in the stem field at a young age,“There are going to be more jobs than there are people to fill those that those positions in the STEM fields, so Girl Scouts wants to make sure that we do our part in that and as a movement have made a pledge to put 2.5 million girls in the STEM pipeline by 2025,” CEO of Girl Scouts Virginia Skyline Council Nikki Williams said. The project took about two years to complete and was funded with the help of the Roanoke Women’s foundation.
Bedford public library, 4-H offer hands-on learning opportunities
BEDFORD COUNTY, Va. – Bedford Public Library System and Bedford 4-H are teaming up to create hands-on learning opportunities for kids. This month, Bedford 4-H is teaching a STEM science water education series that explores flooding, pollution, irrigation, water conservation and the different ways we use water. The series aligns with Virginia SOLs and more importantly gives kids another learning opportunity outside of virtual learning. It’s more than just learning the knowledge but it’s putting it into practice,” said Maribeth Martin, 4-H youth development extension agent for Bedford County. The series is only being offered at Bedford Public Library’s central location and forest recreation center for space to social distance.
Kids’ Tech University registration opens for virtual learning this spring
BLACKSBURG, Va. – A STEM program for kids is back, with a COVID-19 twist. Kids' Tech University will have its 12th annual program this spring and registration opened on Tuesday. Usually, it takes place at Virginia Tech; however, this year will be different. Kids ages 9-18 will get hands-on STEM learning experiences by hearing lectures from researchers and working virtually with undergrads through at-home projects. There’s space for 250 kids.
Local astronaut donates $10,000 to Lynchburg STEM program for ‘next generation of explorers’
LYNCHBURG, Va. – A local astronaut is giving back to the Lynchburg community. Leland Melvin, a retired NASA astronaut, donated $10,000 to the Jubilee Family Development Center in Lynchburg. Melvin included this message with his donation: “Thank you for helping inspire the next generation of explorers! Godspeed on the journey!”Leland Melvin, a local astronaut, donated $10,000 to Jubilee Family Development Center (WSLS)The $10,000 donation will support the center’s STEM program and Summer Enrichment Camp. He served as the co-chair on the White House’s Federal Coordination in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (S.T.E.M.)