Blog Archives

“Science is Amazing” Festival

March 19th , 2016, 10 am – 4 pm

Join us at the 4th annual Science is Amazing Festival at the Lancaster Science Factory! Free admission to all Science Factory exhibits, special science activities, demonstrations and fun for the whole family.

Stop by our ‘Soldering Zone’ where participants ages 10+ can make their own blinking LED pin! Special Thanks to Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology, Make717 & Sechan Electronics for making this activity possible!

Everyone is invited! Children age 15 and under must be accompanied by an adult. Special science demonstrations and activities will be presented by Science Factory volunteers, area schools, science clubs, universities and Lancaster youth organizations. Share your pics on social media using the hashtag #SIA2016!

 

Make It Yourself Workshop: Learn to Weld Steel!

Description:Come discover the science of the electric arc and how it is used to join plates and shapes into our nation’s steel bridges.
Led by: Ronnie Medlock, High Steel

Program Details and Pricing:
*Programs are for kids in grades 3 – 8.

*Workshop cost per child: FREE with your paid admission or membership.

*Regular Science Factory rates apply: Members are FREE, All Visitors are $8.50.

*Program sessions are Sundays, from 2 – 3:30 pm.

*To reserve a space in this workshop, please use the online registration form on the Make It Yourself page of our website

Make It Yourself Workshop: Wobbler Engines

Description: Learn how to assemble a special kind of engine in no time using a compressor and experimenting with different flywheels.
Led by: Phil Oles

Program Details and Pricing:
*Programs are for kids in grades 3 – 8.

*Workshop cost per child: FREE with your paid admission or membership.

*Regular Science Factory rates apply: Members are FREE, All Visitors are $8.50.

*Program sessions are Sundays, from 2 – 3:30 pm.

*To reserve a space in this workshop, please use the online registration form on the Make It Yourself page of our website

Make It Yourself Workshop: Forensics with Legos and Circuits!

Description: Solve a crime by building and using electronic circuits as well as a Lego-based colorimeter that can turn light into numbers!
Led by: Dr. Kristi Kneas & The E-town Chemistry Team

Program Details and Pricing:
*Programs are for kids in grades 3 – 8.

*Workshop cost per child: FREE with your paid admission or membership.

*Regular Science Factory rates apply: Members are FREE, All Visitors are $8.50.

*Program sessions are Sundays, from 2 – 3:30 pm.

*To reserve a space in this workshop, please use the online registration form on the Make It Yourself page of our website

Make It Yourself Workshop: Enter the Coder Dojo

Description: Learn to code in this fun, relaxed, creative workshop — build your own games and create your own websites!
Led by: CoderDojo

Program Details and Pricing:
*Programs are for kids in grades 3 – 8.

*Workshop cost per child: FREE with your paid admission or membership.

*Regular Science Factory rates apply: Members are FREE, All Visitors are $8.50.

*Program sessions are Sundays, from 2 – 3:30 pm.

*To reserve a space in this workshop, please use the online registration form on the Make It Yourself page of our website

Make It Yourself Workshop: Be A Programmer!

Description: Creative kids interested in computers can learn the basic of programming through interactive puzzles that make controlling computers like a game!
Led by: Rob Fisher

Program Details and Pricing:
*Programs are for kids in grades 3 – 8.

*Workshop cost per child: FREE with your paid admission or membership.

*Regular Science Factory rates apply: Members are FREE, All Visitors are $8.50.

*Program sessions are Sundays, from 2 – 3:30 pm.

*To reserve a space in this workshop, please use the online registration form on the Make It Yourself page of our website

Make It Yourself Workshop: Periscope Adventure!

Description: Learn the basic principals of reflection by experimenting with mirrors, geometric shapes and symmetrical images while making your own periscope!
Lead by: Bob Lydum

Program Details and Pricing:
*Programs are for kids in grades 3 – 8.

*Workshop cost per child: FREE with your paid admission or membership.

*Regular Science Factory rates apply: Members are FREE, All Visitors are $8.50.

*Program sessions are Sundays, from 2 – 3:30 pm.

*To reserve a space in this workshop, please use the online registration form on the Make It Yourself page of our website… 

Don’t spend MLK Day laying around the house, come to The Lancaster Science Factory for some hands on science fun. Special cafe demonstrations are scheduled to run 10am-12pm and 1-3pm and will be lead by our special guest volunteer, Chuck Williams! Experience ‘Newton’s Nightmare’, learn about the world’s smallest electric motor and see the SCIENCE IS FUN drone in action.

20 minute sessions will run in the Cafe from 10am-12pm and 1-3pm. Seating is first come, first served.

Activities are geared towards children ages 8 and up, but younger children are welcome to participate with adult assistance.

All activities are FREE with your paid admission (8.50 per person) or Lancaster Science Factory membership.

2015 Cold Storage Winter Camp!

The 7th annual Cold Storage Winter Camp takes place December 28, 29, 30 & 31, 2015. Send your kids to the coolest camp in the coldest time! They’ll enjoy hands on activities, fun demonstrations, and be submerged in the chill and thrill, of science!

Each half-day session costs $30 per child. Reserve both sections on the same day for $55. Or book all 8 sessions for $200. The more you book, the more you save!!!!!! Members also receive an extra 10% off. Children that are attending both morning and afternoon camps are welcome to stay for Lunch Bunch, in which they can eat their own packed lunch, and then enjoy time on the exhibit floors before the afternoon camp begins. REGISTRATION CLOSES FRIDAY, DECEMBER 18th at 5pm!

Monday, December 28th

Alice in ExperimentLand
(9:00am-12:00pm) ages 6-13 only
After reading excerpts from the classic novel, Alice in Wonderland, we will conduct a series of experiments inspired by the book! Campers will explore differing forces, chemistry, and the engineering design process as we ‘fall down the rabbit hole,’ make the Cheshire Cat ‘disappear and reappear,’ and create a strange croquet game. Campers will be given age-appropriate challenges and explanations as needed.

Aliens, Monsters, and Ghosts
(1:00pm-4:00pm) ages 6-13 only
Campers will be challenged to use air dynamics to design hovering alien ships and floating ghosts! Then we’ll turn our attention to chemistry exploration in order to make the perfect gooey monster. Campers will be given age-appropriate challenges and explanations as needed. We will prove that science and imagination go hand in hand!

Tuesday, December 29th

CHEMystery
(9:00am-12:00pm) ages 7-13 only
In this camp, we will make liquids, bubble, fizz and change color! Campers will conduct experiments, observe fascinating results and discover the properties of household products. They will also use their senses and analytical skills to identify our mystery liquids!

Zap
(1:00pm-4:00pm) ages 7-13 only
Join us for an electricity extravaganza! We will play with shocking static electricity devices and experiments, make creative circuits out of squishy things, and assemble small electronics that do all sorts of unusual things. Campers will need a shocking amount of creativity for this camp!

Wednesday, December 30th

Hydraulic K’NEX Contraptions
(9:00am-12:00pm) ages 7-13 only
Syringes have never been more fun! Campers will use what they learn about hydraulics, pivots, and levers to conduct a series of exercises building with K’NEX. Then they will undergo the ultimate challenge by designing and building large Rube Goldberg-inspired K’NEX contraptions! Campers will be given age-appropriate challenges and explanations as needed.

Inventor’s Workshop
(1:00pm-4:00pm) ages 7-13 only
What is innovation and invention? Campers will explore these concepts with our exhibits-based exercises that will serve as their inventor’s training. Then they will design and build an invention for the Lancaster Science Factory! Finally, we will explore creative ways to use DC motors with hands-on experiments.

Thursday, December 31st

Catapults
(9:00am-12:00pm) ages 6-13 only
This camp is all about catapults: building them, testing them with ‘ammo,’ and studying the results! Campers will be given sample designs but will also be challenged to modify them or come up with their own. We will start with K’NEX and then move on to different materials. We will include a little physics discussion by experimenting with the launching movement. Campers will be given age-appropriate challenges and explanations as needed.

Pirate Explorations
(1:00pm-4:00pm) ages 6-13 only
We’re ending 2015 with a camp filled with experiments and adventures inspired by the pirate life! We’ll start with a series of group challenges using telescopes, compasses, and hook-thievery. Then “X” will mark the spot with our science exhibit scavenger hunt (who will win the ‘gold’?). Finally, our pirates will have to make successful boats and carefully balance on the ‘plank’! Campers will be given age-appropriate challenges and explanations as needed.

Register Online or at our Front Desk today!

MAY THE FORCE OF GIVING BE WITH YOU AS THE LANCASTER SCIENCE FACTORY PRESENTS THE SCIENCE OF STAR WARS!!

LANCASTER, PA – On November 20th, The Lancaster Science Factory will be participating in the Extraordinary Give, and this year, we are creating an out of this world event as we host “The Science of Star Wars” on November 15th and November 20th.

Friday, November 20, 3 – 6 pm:
• Participate in science activities inspired by the famous movie franchise! What is force? Did you know there are “invisible” forces? The featured activity will be making, flying, and keeping paper Starfighters! Our Star Wars-themed events are for kids of all ages, because we think STEM education is best served with a dose of fun and imagination. The Lancaster Science Factory will be offering FREE ADMISSION during this event from 3-6 pm!

On November 20th, for 24-hours only, visit ExtraGive.org, make a donation to the Lancaster Science Factory (min. $25) and every dollar you donate will be stretched by $300,000 from the Lancaster County Community Foundation and their presenting sponsors. PLUS, there’s an additional $50,000 in funds we can win just from your donation!

Money raised will benefit the Lancaster Science Factory, a non-profit science and technology center located at 454 New Holland Avenue, Lancaster, PA, where we create an environment of learning which helps children develop curiosity, think creatively and build self-confidence as they learn the principles of science and the application of science in engineering and technology. For general information and admission prices, please call 717.509.6363 or visit www.lancastersciencefactory.org