STEAM Saturdays Classes

Explore the science of flight as you participate in several fun hands on challenges. Can you build the fastest lasercut airplane? What about the highest launching bottle rocket? Learn about aeronautical engineering and aerodynamics as you take flight with the Fab Lab

December: Put on your creativity hat and get ready to combine art and science to bring your art projects to life! We'll use digital design software CorelDraw and make a ton of fun hands on crafts. Art class at the Fab Lab is like no other, join us!

March: Sculpters unite! In this Art & Design class, we’ll be getting hands on with clay. Learn basic sculpting skills and techniques as you make pots, small sculptures and more!

In this class, students will learn all about flowers! From flower identification, uses, and meanings, you’ll be a floral expert just in time for Valentine’s Day!

Challenge your mind by solving famous logic puzzles and riddles. You will become a paradox pro as you learn about the different ways math affects and influences the real world!

Coders unite! Build foundational skills using the programming language Python and then code your own game, story, artwork or more! No experience is needed.

Colors will come alive in this special Chemistry class! From making sun prints and colored bubbles to color-changing slime, we’ll explore the rainbow by learning about chemical and physical changes!

It’s electric! In this class, we will learn how the circuits in computers work and we’ll even build our own binary calculator.

Learn all about the engineering design process through hands on activities! We’ll race balloon-powered cars, see who can make the strongest and tallest pasta and marshmallow tower and build paper airplane launchers, all while using the engineering design process to connect what we do!

To celebrate Manatee Appreciation Day, we’ll learn all about manatees and estuaries! Then we’ll learn about how to keep our environment clean and happy and make our own terrariums celebrating the environment!

Category is… STEAM! Calling all future fashionistas for the Fab Lab’s first Fashion Design STEAM Saturdays class. Let your creativity shine by combining technology and fashion to make some fabulous looks for the runway!

Have you ever wondered why different foods change color, or why they bubble, maybe why they harden or split into layers? It's all science! We will dive into the sciences within foods and drinks that many people don't notice throughout their day! Make sure to fill out the food allergy section of your child's profile to help them stay safe but have fun during the class.

Do you love building things? If so, this is the class for you! Using the Fab Lab’s advanced machinery, you will build various wooden structures and learn how to safely operate power tools!

Did you know that during the span of an average lifetime, a human will pump enough blood to fill 200 cars? The human body is capable of extraordinary things! In this class, we’ll learn about the functions of the body as well as the different areas of medicine, through hands-on activities and fun trivia!

Why can’t you trust an atom? Because they make up everything! Atoms, bacteria, and other microscopic organisms can be found in almost every crevice of the Earth! In this class, you’ll learn about microscopic organisms such as bacteria, algae, and fungi through fun simulations and experiments.

Can you hear that?! That’s the sound of fun! Join us for our first Music class where we’ll explore the science of music through activities like making instruments, programming an Arduino to play piano and more!

Learn about the basics of physics while creating all kinds of cool gadgets. With access to advanced machines and technology, you can invent anything that you can imagine! After all, the sky’s the limit!

3, 2, 1, blast off! Learn about the chemistry, engineering, and electronics that go into creating rockets. Then, you will use this knowledge to build and launch your very own rocket!

Ever wondered how websites are made? This is the class for you! Learn the basics of HTML and CSS to design and build your very own website. No experience required, just a willingness to learn.

Chemistry experiments, robots, art challenges, oh my! During this mini-camp, we’ll explore a new winter-themed STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art & Math) area. Super fun, hands on holiday activities and collaborative projects will stimulate campers' curiosity and allow them to discover their interests. $150 for three-day mini camp. All supplies and take-home projects included.

In this class, participants will explore the fun world of pollinators. Participants will have a chance to “become” a wasp and defend their colony, participate in a pollination experiment, and learn the moves bees use to communicate with one another. Join us for a buzzing good time.

Check in will take place at 9:00am, 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. Again, this will be done inside the building and a volunteer will retrieve your child from the lab or classroom.

Face coverings are no longer required for visitors, program participants, volunteers and members. We are, however, strongly encouraging those who are not fully vaccinated against COVID-19 to continue wearing a face covering while in the lab.

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 or FLIP FLOPS permitted. Loose clothing and jewelry are not permitted for safety purposes and long hair must be secured.

Feel free to pack a snack for your child to enjoy during the daily designated snack time. 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.

Cancelations must be made at least 7 days in advance of your enrolled class session to qualify for a full refund. Cancelations made less than one week out from class will qualify for a 50% refund. Cancelations must be made in writing to info@suncoastscience.org or by calling 941-840-4394. Cancelations 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.

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.