STEAM Saturdays Classes

Dive into the amazing world of color! Discuss the color spectrum and learn how we perceive rainbows through fun, interactive activities.

Led by Bella, Elvis, Michael & Riya

 

Dive into the exciting world of Chemistry at the Fab Lab! This hands-on adventure invites young scientists to explore the wonders of chemistry through fun and interactive experiments. Kids will create reactions, learn basic lab safety, and understand how chemistry is a part of our everyday lives. Join us for a day of laughter, learning, and scientific discovery, and leave with a newfound appreciation for the science that makes our world so fascinating!

Led by Ariana & Rohan

 

Fluffy blankets, warm sweaters, hot cocoa, holiday cheer– December truly is the season of comfort! Come spend a morning making soft sock animals, tasty winter treats, and holiday gifts. It’ll make your “happiest time of the year” feel even cozier!Led by Elena

Uncover ancient secrets about what used to walk around on earth long before we did. Dig up and identify dinosaur fossils from millions of years ago! Discover artifacts left behind by ancient civilizations! And leave behind your own artifacts for people to discover in the future! Join us and discover the fascinating world hidden right beneath our feet!

Led by Lee, Liliana & Elyse

It’s time to engineer your world! Join us for a day of creative design as we explore a variety of engineering fields. Students will discover their inner engineers as they use lasercut pieces to create their own houses, assemble mini wind turbines, and many other projects. By having fun while learning and practicing the engineering design process, students will be able to get a better understanding of the world they live in!

Led by Prabhav & Bella

 

Get ready for a hands-on adventure in magnets and physics at the Magnetic Marvels STEAM Saturday! Explore the magic of magnets—how they stick, push, and pull without touching—and uncover the secrets of gravity, friction, and motion through hands-on experiments and fun challenges. Students will leave with a new appreciation for the power of physics and a spark of curiosity for how it shapes our everyday lives!

Led by Parker, Ariana & Avni

It's time to face nature's most extreme forces head on! Get ready to explore the science behind some of the most powerful and awe-inspiring natural events on Earth. Students will investigate how and why earthquakes, floods, hurricanes, tornados, and volcanic eruptions occur, and what makes these natural disasters so destructive. They’ll simulate storm conditions and understand how these forces of nature impact our environment and will explore how scientists, engineers, and communities work together to protect against these events. It’s an adventure that will spark curiosity and inspire young minds to make a difference in the world!

Led by Jake, Ariana & Aleah

Welcome to Pottery Pals Camp, where young artists get to mold, shape, and create their very own masterpieces! At this hands-on camp, we will learn all about the magic of pottery, from squishing clay with their hands to crafting unique bowls, mugs, and colorful sculptures. Campers will explore the wonders of art and creativity as they get their hands dirty, experimenting with fun textures and designs.

Led by Elena, Jiayi & Daniella

Welcome to Santa’s Workshop! Join us for a magical day of construction, creativity, and inventiveness! We'll use various Fab Lab machines to create crafts and toys, all while learning the design process and the importance of imagination! Start with the elf training sessions to learn how to design, build, and test your creations, and decorate projects to add the finishing touch. Then we'll explore different machines and create our own gifts in the workshop to keep or give away as gifts. Don't miss this holiday adventure filled with building, fabricating, and festive fun!

Led by Kenzie & Ariana

Have you ever stared up at the night sky and wondered what you could find up there? Well, you can find the answer to this question in an out-of-this-world experience at the Fab Lab. Through a series of interactive, hands-on activities, you’ll learn all there is to know about the solar system and the infinite universe. You’ll also be able to use Fab Lab machines and other cool materials to make your own take-home solar system models, compete in a series of fun games to identify/guess constellations, and so much more as you become a Space Scout for the day!

Led by Sivan, Jiayi & Daniella

Join us for some spring crafts and transform raw wood into vibrant shapes and creations using the lab’s assortment of woodworking tools! From garden signs to flower pots, campers will truly capture the essence of spring and allow their creativity to bloom.

Led by Kenzie, Torrin & Melisa

Discover a world of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math, through immersive experiments, hands-on crafts, and using state-of-the-art machinery like the Laser Cutter – native to Fab Lab. From designing Rube Goldberg machines to creating keychains and puzzles from scratch, campers will explore how to design, build, and experiment while developing teamwork, critical thinking, and creativity. Join us for a FabLabulous time!

Led by Aashima, Melisa & Grace

Please join us as we bring the swamp to you! You’ll get a chance to become a sleuth for the day as you discover the secrets hidden in the swamp. Conduct your own investigation of what’s down there by looking at super cool pond organisms through microscopes, learning all about swamp food chains through interactive (and delicious) activities, identifying animals through bite marks or footprints, making your own creations to take home, and so much more.

Led by Sivan, Daniella & Grace

Aspiring architects! Discover the fascinating world of buildings and bridges while exploring the basics of physics and structural design. Through fun, hands-on activities, kids will learn how structures stand tall, why certain shapes are strong, and how forces like gravity and balance work together to create stable designs. From creating their own model cities, experimenting with different building materials, and creating buildings as a response to certain environments, this class will inspire young minds to think like real architects!

Led by Aashima

Have you ever seen an incredible building, and wondered: how was this made?! How does it not  collapse from wind, or crumble because of rain? In this Architecture in Motion class, you’ll get the chance to brainstorm, blueprint, and put together your very own building to withstand a variety of environmental pressures. In doing so, you’ll learn about the fundamentals of architecture, the pros and cons of building materials, and the most famous pieces of architecture throughout history. As a bonus, you’ll even be able to take home your creations at the end of the day! 

Led by Sivan & Riya

Robots, attack! In this class, campers will be able to brainstorm, design and build their own battle robots. Campers will have a unique opportunity to develop their problem-solving and teamwork, before having the different robots collide and brawl in a true showcase of their abilities!

Led by Prabhav, Bella, Rohan & Anish

Ahoy Sailors! Are you ready to embark on a nautical journey through the waters of engineering, learn about the forces of buoyancy and hydrodynamics, and build your very own miniature boat? Become captains of your own ship and sail along with us as we test different materials, build prototypes, and learn about the history of naval engineering. Raise the anchor and set the sails and become masters of the sea (and other large bodies of water)!

Led by Liliana, Elyse & Lee

Join us for an exciting adventure at Eco-Engineers class, where you’ll become a real-life problem-solver and learn how to create sustainable solutions for our planet! This hands-on camp is designed for campers who love the environment and want to explore how engineering can help protect and preserve the Earth for future generations. From creating water filtration systems, to building natural disaster-resistant housing, students will leave with a deeper understanding of how engineering can play a critical role in protecting the Earth, and the knowledge and inspiration to make a positive impact on the environment.

Led by Rohan, Aashima & Ariana

Step into the fascinating world of atoms, molecules, and chemical reactions at our Elements of Chemistry STEAM Saturday! This hands-on camp is perfect for curious campers who want to explore the building blocks of matter and understand the science behind the elements of the Periodic Table. Diving into the world of elements, campers will learn about the different groups on the periodic table, discover the unique properties of metals, nonmetals, and metalloids, and understand how elements are present in our natural world and in things we use every day! With exciting experiments, fun challenges, and interactive learning, you'll uncover the mysteries of Chemistry while having a blast!

Led by Kenzie, Cole, Ariana & Yoojeoong

Unlock the ultimate adventure where teamwork, problem-solving, and creativity come together in a thrilling challenge! Throughout the day, you’ll work in teams to decipher clues, solve puzzles, and crack codes to escape before time runs out. With a mix of brain teasers, hands-on challenges, and hidden secrets, every twist and turn brings you closer to the big escape. Join us for a day of mystery and excitement that will put your wits to the test!

Led by Cole, Dakota, Leah & Zoe

Chirp! Hiss! Join us in Happy Habitats and learn about ways that we can better the environment through engineering. Dive into the ecology of Florida and learn about our unique environment and how to protect it. Modeling powerful forces of nature like erosion and floods (and how to prevent them!), building homes for wildlife, and learning to clean oil spills, you’ll leave more knowledgeable about your environment and what you can do to help it. 

Led by Liliana, Lee & Elyse

Get ready to step into the workshop and unleash your creativity! In this class, you will create designs and turn your imagination into reality. Using the amazing machines in our Fab Lab—like laser cutters, 3D printers, and other woodworking tools—you will discover how to create, customize, and build unique projects, bringing your ideas to life! This hands-on class will teach you skills to turn your artistic ideas into real-world creations. Let's create a masterpiece! 

Led by Rohan, Torrin & Grace

From making your own juggling balls to designing circus tents, Circus Design has it all! Learn new skills, unleash your creativity, and bring your imagination to life with hands-on projects and fun-filled activities created with Fab Lab machines! Whether you’re crafting props, making themed snacks, perfecting your performance, or just enjoying the show, there’s something for everyone under the big top.

Led by Leah & Zoe

Modern technology wouldn’t exist without machines, and now it’s your turn to explore how they work! In this STEAM Saturday, you’ll dive into the fascinating world of mechanical engineering by learning about simple machines like pulleys, gears, levers, and more! Through hands-on projects, students will model and create their very own mechanisms. By understanding how machines solve problems and shape our world, you’ll gain the tools to join the next generation of innovative engineers!

Led by Parker, Elvis, Michael & Nathan

Wham! Bam! Unleash your inner superhero today, where you’ll explore the science behind superpowers! From web-slinging to electrical currents, we’ll investigate how these powers could work in real life and how they work in the fantasy world. Even better, using the Fab Lab’s machines, we’ll help you create your very own superhero. Join us to transform fiction into reality!

Led by Avni & Zoe

Have you ever wanted to make a t-shirt at the Fab Lab? Want to know how shirts are designed? This is the STEAM Saturday for you! We will go through how to design, make, and print our very own t-Shirts, using the awesome machines here at the Fab Lab, including the Vinyl Cutter and t-Shirt press! Unleash your creativity and make your designs come to reality!

Led by Jake, Aleah & Melisa

You’re Invited… To a Deadly Affair! Join us for an evening filled with suspense, romance, and a touch of danger as we celebrate the wedding of Ms. Melanie Daniels & Mr. Bryan Hutch. But wait… there’s a twist! Someone has gone missing amid the festivities, and it’s up to YOU to help uncover the truth. Come investigate with us as we hunt for clues by interviewing suspicious wedding guests, analyzing fiber samples, searching for fingerprints and more! This action-packed mystery will keep you on your toes until the mystery is solved… or until the culprit strikes again!

Led by Kenzie, Zoe & Hudson

Get ready for an action-packed, gear-turning good time at Machine Madness: Winter Sports Extravaganza! Using our machines at the Fab Lab, we will compete in many different events, from fast-paced games to teamwork challenges. Whether your child loves to "pump up" their fitness or "crank up" their competitive spirit, this camp will have them running like a well-oiled machine! It’s the perfect way to keep them active and engaged this winter—no assembly required!

Led by Jake

What compounds keep you alive? What is blood made of? These questions and more will be answered at Chemistry of Life STEAM Saturday! We’ll be testing for organic compounds, modeling molecules, examining biological fluids, and more. Join us for a day of Chemistry and biology fun.

Led by Alex, Nidhi & Yoojeong

Create the future of technology! From web & mobile applications to games, Java is a common and versatile coding language that YOU can learn; no prior experience required. Join us at Java STEAM Saturday to add a new programming language to your repertoire. 

Led by Alex & Prabhav

Combine engineering passion with artistic ability, and it results in Computer-Aided Design! Students will learn about several CAD softwares, including Fusion360, and will create personal 2D designs that will be laser cut! Additionally, through hands-on activities, students will gain a better understanding of the importance of the CAD process used to create physical products in the real world.

Led by Rohan

Ever wondered how artificial intelligence works? In this class, you’ll have the opportunity to design your own neural network! From choosing a dataset to building and training a model, to even testing it in real time, this class will show you every single step of making a computer vision AI model. Campers will walk away with newfound knowledge of the intricacies of computer vision while also having their own working computer vision AI!

This class is different from the previous Artificial Intelligence STEAM Saturday.

Led by Rohan, Avni & Prabhav

Get ready to power up your curiosity in our Electrical Engineering STEAM Saturday Class! This exciting, hands-on class will introduce you to the world of electricity, circuits, and technology. Whether you're a future inventor, engineer, or just curious about how things work, this class will ignite your imagination and give you the tools to build your own electronic projects! Learn the basics of electrical circuits by creating simple projects like light-up designs, buzzers, and switches. Explore different electrical components like resistors, LEDs, and motors and understand how each part works together to create devices we use every day, from smartphones to robots!

Led by Ariana & Hudson

Diving out of the way of a dragon’s breath, casting complicated spells and winning deadly tournaments are all in a day’s work for courageous adventurers. But have you ever wondered how these adventurers make their dragon-slaying swords? We’ll teach you how! Building swords using our woodworking machines or laser engraving covers for our very own spell books… You can make it in Fantasyland. So join us, and using all our magical machines, you’ll be able to create the gear needed for your next quest!

Led by Lee, Zoe & Elyse

Unleash your creativity and build your technical skills with jewelry making! This time, it’s no ordinary craft: learn how to use machines like the laser cutter, soldering iron, and the 3D printer to personalize customized accessories. Join us for the unique opportunity to use the machines and bring home beautiful jewelry you won’t forget.

Led by Jiayi

Unleash your puzzle-making prowess! Join us in making your own custom vinyl and 3D wood puzzles using the Fab Lab’s laser cutter and vinyl printers! Dive into a world of curiosity, creativity, and challenge! This hands-on experience lets you design and build your own puzzles, from mind-bending brainteasers to intricate jigsaws. Explore the art of problem-solving, learn design techniques, and watch your ideas come to life.

Led by Elyse, Zoe & Dakota

Have you ever wondered what makes your brain tick? Or how understanding it has changed the world? This STEAM Saturday, we will dive headfirst into a journey through our five senses, where psychology meets innovation. Campers will be able to learn about human perception through fun activities like their own Ramachandran Mirror Boxes and puzzles! Additionally, campers will learn about their kinesthetic and vestibular senses by learning about prosthetics. Campers will leave with a newfound appreciation for our senses.

Led by David, Riya, Yoojeong & Nidhi

This hands-on class is designed for young minds eager to explore the fascinating intersection of engineering, coding and robotics! Campers will learn the basics of robotics, such as mechanical design, through fun and engaging projects, and learn the intrinsic programming that makes robots work! Students will also test their creativity through prototyping their own primitive robot designs, and even have the chance to interact and experiment with the Fab Lab’s very own advanced robot dog, Sparky!

Led by Ariana

DIVE into the exciting science of hydrology and discover how water shapes our world! In this camp, you’ll explore the fascinating journey of water—from rainfall and rivers to treatment and tunnels. Through hands-on experiments and creative challenges, you’ll learn how engineers solve real-world problems like managing floods, ensuring clean drinking water, and building sustainable systems. Experiment with models to test solutions, and work as a team to tackle challenges inspired by the vital role of water in our communities. Get ready to make a splash with your ideas!

Led by Parker, Dakota & Nathan

Check in will take place at 9:00am (or 2:00pm for afternoon sessions) inside the main entrance located near the rear of the building. A volunteer or staff member will help you check in your child. If someone other than you will be picking up your child, please notify lab staff at check in.

You are also required to sign your child out when picking them up at 1:00pm (or 6:00pm for afternoon sessions). Again, this will be done inside the building and a volunteer will retrieve your child from the lab or classroom.

The lab and its machines and equipment are regularly professionally cleaned and sanitized with EPA-approved products.

Antibacterial hand soap is available in restrooms and antibacterial hand sanitizer is available throughout the lab for easy access and use.

Students should wear comfortable, fitted, casual clothing and CLOSED TOE and CLOSED HEEL shoes. Gym or tennis shoes – NO SANDALS, CROCS or FLIP FLOPS permitted. Loose clothing and jewelry are not permitted for safety purposes and long hair must be secured.

Please pack a snack for your child to enjoy during the daily designated snack time. Snacks WILL NOT be provided. Please make sure your child brings a water bottle that can be refilled at the lab.

The registration portal has the most current information regarding open spots and waitlists. You will NOT be charged when adding yourself to a class waitlist. Students on the waitlist will be notified in the order they were added to the waitlist if a spot becomes available. We will notify you as early as possible by phone or email if there is an opportunity to move off the waitlist and include instructions on how to make payment.

Cancellations must be made at least 10 days in advance of your enrolled class session to qualify for a full refund. Cancellations made less than 10 days from class will qualify for a 50% refund. Cancellations made the same day of class do NOT qualify for a refund. All refunds are subject to a 2% processing fee. Cancellations must be made in writing to info@suncoastscience.org or by calling 941-840-4394. Cancellations by voicemail will not be accepted. No-shows do not qualify for a refund. If your child has to be picked up early, there is no refund for class time missed.

We reserve the right to cancel a class if 8 or fewer students are enrolled. In the case of a cancellation due to low enrollment, a full refund will be provided.

For each student to have a positive, safe experience in STEAM Saturdays classes, we have established the following expectations.

1. Walking is our preferred mode of transportation while working in the lab! Please refrain from running.
2. No food or drink (including candy and gum) is allowed in classroom or machine areas unless agreed upon with staff or volunteers. Snacks you bring will be set aside for snack time.
3. The Golden Rule… Treat others as you would like to be treated! This means raising your hand to speak, respecting others’ personal space and keeping your hands to yourself, being considerate and helpful, using appropriate language, etc.
4. Treat our machines and tools respectfully... like they are your own!
5. There may be other programs running concurrently with STEAM Saturdays. Please be sure to stay with your group at all times.

To reinforce these rules and encourage an appropriate and safe learning environment, we employ the “Three Strikes and You’re Out” policy in relation to the above expectations.

• Strike 1 (Reminder): A reminder of our expectations will be given to the student.
• Strike 2 (Warning): The student will be removed from class activities for a short period of time.
• Strike 3 (Action): We will contact you to immediately pick up your child from the lab. Depending on the severity of the behavior, future participation in lab activities may be impacted.