Blog Archives
April 6th: (9:30 – 11:00am or 1:00 – 2:30pm)
It’s the View that Counts: Seeing in 2D but building in 3D
Learn to build like an architect and create 2D dimensional shapes from a one dimensional illustration or blueprints. Students will work from a flat photo of an object to create 3 dimensional items.This session will teach the important different view prospective as you read a blueprint and construct!
Cost is $15 per child, per session
**Lancaster Science Factory members receive a 10% discount on all Homeschool Classes!**
To sign up for a homeschool class, please visit our website for online registration or contact Rachel Cahill at Rcahill@tlsf.org or 717-509-6363 x105.
PASTE: Science That Sticks Summer Camps: Being A Scientist
(For those pre-kindergarteners ages 4 to 6)
Step into the footsteps of a scientist. Each day pre-Kindergartens will walk into the shoes of different scientists while exploring the areas of Physics, Chemistry, Computer Science and engineering.
August 21-24, 9:30am-11:30am
Instructed by STEM Educator Rachel Cahill
Science That Sticks Camps
For ages 4 to 6
Looking for a summer camp for your littlest of scientists?
New for 2017 is our “Science that Sticks for 4 to 6” Camp specially geared for children ages 4 to 6. Each camp runs Monday – Thursday from 9:30 – 11:30 am. Cost is $108 for each 4 day session.
Camp registration is first-come, first-serve, so sign up as soon as you can! Payment is due at time of registration.
Volunteer opportunities for those aged 16 and above will be available.
If you have any questions about the camps, please contact Rachel Cahill, STEM Educator at 717.509.6363 X105. Or via email at rcahill@tlsf.org
Take learning to the next level with the new ‘Interactive Science Discovery’ series at The Lancaster Science Factory! This FREE family-friendly event will feature our partners from Franklin & Marshall College as they provide activities for ages Pre-K to adult based on current research being done locally. Participants will also be able to explore our museum’s exhibits during this time.
Worried about missing dinner? FREE pizza will be provided while supplies last.
Hope to see you there!
Science is Amazing Festival
March 25, 2017, 10 am – 4 pm
What: A 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 Inc for making this activity possible!
When: March 25, 2017 from 10am-4pm
Where: Lancaster Science Factory, 454 New Holland Avenue, Lancaster, PA 17601.
Who: 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 #SIA2017!
THANK YOU to our event sponsors: Sechan Electronics Inc, CHIP and PA Cyber Charter School!
The Education Organization of Elizabethtown College is excited to announce our 2nd annual Factory Friday Event on March 31st from 5:30-7:30pm at The Lancaster Science Factory. This FREE event is open to all school age kids! Come explore all the science factory has to offer with explanations of the science behind the fun provided by pre-service teachers. Join us for experiments led by Education Club volunteers, and some hands-on science fun!
For more information, please contact educationclub@etown.edu.
Help us build a mythical creature of litter intolerance!
Trash Dragon Public Build Workshop on March 19th from 2-3:30
Anyone age ten and up is welcome.
Location: Castagna Learning Center at The Lancaster Science Factory
The Science Factory was awarded a grant from Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful to construct a trike bike and cart that will be completely decorated with trash/recyclable materials to look like a dragon. Aluminum cans are being used to create scales. Colorful bags, plastic bottles, and even old keys are being incorporated in the design.
This mobile scupture will be available for community clean ups to beautify our neighborhoods. The Trash Dragon will incorporate trash and recycling receptacles to help with the clean-up itself. We hope it will prevent future littering by fostering a sense of community pride and responsibility. Its unique design will appeal to children and make cleaning up FUN.
Feeling creative? Join our public build! Use your hands and your artistic skills to transform recyclables into the dragon itself. Students age 10 and up and their families are encouraged to attend.
http://rjfisher.github.io/Trash-Dragons/
Together, we can raise awareness, and encourage recycling and responsible waste disposal!
Join us for a battle of the brains Thursday, March 9th at 7pm for Science Trivia Night at The Lancaster Science Factory!
Matt Johnson will be the Master of Science Ceremonies leading the Trivia Challenge. All of the Factory exhibits will be open and prizes will be awarded to overall winners and the team with the most creative science-themed name.
Grab your buzzer and participate in a Science Jeopardy showdown! This evening’s entertainment will include a Jeopardy challenges, with topics including “climate science” and “weather.”
The cost is $10 per person and all attendees must be age 21 and over. Admission includes 1 beer from Wacker Brewing Company, 1 slice of pizza from Four54 Grill and 5 brain busting rounds of science themed trivia and jeopardy. Guests will be able to purchase additional brews (Wacker Kolsch or Dunkel) at our Science Cafe cash bar.
We ask that each team pre-register on Eventbrite to help us estimate event attendance. Teams can be up to 8 players.
Questions? Please contact Audrey Lilley at Alilley@tlsf.org or 717-509-6363 x104.
Hope to see you there!
Sunday February 12th: 2:00 – 3:30 pm
Maple Sugaring: Nature’s Biochemistry from a Tree
From Cold Winters Nights to Sunny Warm Spring Days; From Water to Syrup to Sugar… comes the sweetness from that only nature can provide.
Join LSF STEM Educator, Rachel Cahill, for a walk into the biochemistry of a Sugar Maple. Try your hands at the tools of the trade taking baby steps back through the history of sugaring to those original settlers, the Native Americans. Look and Taste the beautiful colors of liquid gold.
Led by: Rachel Cahill, STEM Educator at The Lancaster Science Factory
*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.
*To reserve a space in this workshop, please contact Rachel Cahill at Rcahill@tlsf.org or 717-509-6363 x105 or visit our website to complete an electronic registration.
Ready, Aim, Fire! Teams of up to FIVE 4-8th grade students are invited to participate in our SPLAT-A-PULT competition at The Lancaster Science Factory Saturday, March 4th at 9:30am! This event is being sponsored by the Optimist Club of Lancaster.
Teams will design and construct their catapults in advance and then bring their contraptions to the Science Factory on the morning of the 4th. In between rounds, there will be opportunities for teams to modify their catapults.
The 1st place team will win a pizza party for 20 at the Lancaster Science Factory!
Ending time TBD: It will depend on how many teams register!
Teams can sign up by contacting Rachel Cahill at rcahill@tlsf.org or 717-509-6363 x105 for more information.
Registration closes on March 2nd, 2017, sign up today!
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Contest Details:
SPLAT-A-PULT: A STEM Game of Strategy and Skill
Field Layout- There will be a total of three independent fields for the SPLAT-A-Pult teams. Each field will have a set length represented by the Purple color, 12-foot, 14- foot and 16-foot respectively. The bullseye color rings will each be 12 inches in diameter. TEAMs will have a total of 8 shots over the course of the competition. Each TEAM will be designated an order of launch for each of the three prospective lengths…. where they will take two shots. After all TEAMs have completed their first 6 shots, TEAMs will then have time to re-group and select which of the fields of choice they will be taking both of their remaining 2 shots. TEAMs will submit a written request to Lead Judge, where an order for launching will then be assigned to each TEAMs request. Targets- target will be identically sized (12inches in diameter) at each field however, with length of the field the point values change by color. The bottom ring will be placed 1-foot from the end of the set length floor mat.
Red – 2 points, Orange – 4 points, Yellow – 6 points, Green – 8 points and Blue – 10 points.
Ammunition for this event we will be launching standard sized colored Easter Eggs filled with dried beans. Filled egg will have an approximate weight of 21.0 – 21.5 grams (.75oz).
The SPLAT-A-Pult-
The machine would need to fit into a designated sized box. Suggestion would be a box no larger the 3 feet by 3 feet. The box would be placed at the end of each of the field layouts to assist with TEAM preparation. Also a practice splat/dry splat will be necessary to test this prior to competition launch
During the competition of Splat… of the catapult… no part of the machine may exceed the plane/limits of the box (3ft x 3ft). NO air cannons or pressure systems will be permitted.
Winning the SPLAT-A-Pult Competition-
In order to win the SPLAT-A-Pult Competition it is simply a numbers game. Each team will SPLAT for points on each of the designated fields during the first round of competition. The point values for the first round will be totaled and recorded. During second round of competition TEAMs will then request via paper and launch from their choice of the three fields two additional launches. These values will then be totaled and added to the first round of competitions. The third round of competition will be the interview session where an additional 10 points are available. During the interview a panel of judges will ask the TEAMs to explain their machine from the brainstorming of the concept to the actual building of the contraption to the science/engineering of “HOW” it works. The interview session scores will not be published until all groups have completed the interviews. At that point all scored will be totaled and awards will be distributed to top three TEAMs.
DESIGN Specifications and Rules
1. Each TEAM will provide one SPLAT-A-Pult. No substitutions of the contraption are permitted once final check in is completed on the day of competition.
2. Each TEAM is encouraged to create build in modification to adjust launch angle, launch distance, and more… Keeping the adjustments simple.
3. Each TEAM is encouraged to use the time allotment between launch rounds to fine tune or make minor repairs to their contraption. TEAM must be prepared to launch at their designate time.
4. Each TEAM will be given 5 minutes to setup their contraption with in the pre-designed launch box. And an additional 5 minutes for reset and modifications between first and second launch.
5. Contraption must be secure to the floor within the launch box. No TEAM member is permitted to hold machine during the launching process.
6. Contraption base must fit within the 3ft x 3ft Launch box.
7. Contraption must be 100 % mechanical. Device may not include hydraulics, pneumatics, pyrotechnics, etc.
Scoring
1. First Round Scoring will be based on a simple tally of the 12-foot, 14-target 16-foot.
a. Maximum possible point value available at 12-foot target is 12 points
b. Maximum possible point value available at 14-foot target is 16 points
c. Maximum possible point value available at 16-foot target is 20 points
Maximum Available in first round of Competition is 48 points
2. Second Round Scoring will be determined by the TEAM. Each TEAM will need to submit in writing where they would like to take their last 2 launches. Both Launches must be taken at the same target (12-foot, 14-foot or 16-foot). Maximum Available in second round of Competition is: 20 points if selecting 16-foot target, 16 points if selecting 14-foot target, or 12 points if selecting 12-foot target.
3. Third Round of Scoring is based on the interview phase of competition. TEAMs will stand in front of an interview panel to discuss their contraptions.
a. 15 points are available from 3 specific interview questions
b. 5 points are available from Blueprint/Drawing/Notebook of Contraption
Maximum Available in third round of Competition is 20 points
Sunday January 29: 2:00 – 3:30 pm
Amusement Park-ology. Can you design a new ride?
Recently your favorite amusement park experienced a fire. The directors are looking for the some help in designing their new and improved theme park rides. In this Maker Space Workshop, participants will try their hands at designing and engineering an amusement park ride that will bring people back to their favorite amusement park.
Do you have what it takes to be an Amusement Park Design Engineer? Will your ride impress our local amusement park? Come and join us to find out if you got what it takes!!!
Led by: Aliyah Elijah, Aspiring STEM early Childhood Educator, Millersville University, Class of 2018
*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.
*To reserve a space in this workshop, please contact Rachel Cahill at Rcahill@tlsf.org or 717-509-6363 x105 or visit our website to complete an electronic registration.
