My life is nothing if not a winding path. Now that I'm in my 50s, I appreciate the twists and turns that have made for a pretty great ride. My latest pivot involves offering workshops that jive with my guiding motto (derived from a long-forgotten source) have fun and learn new things. Scrappy Affirmations Workshops I learned to use a laser cutter when I helped launch mHUB, Chicago's innovation space for physical product entrepreneurs, a few ... [ Read More ]
Winter Break STEM Camps in Chicago 2019
It’s fun to learn things outside of school- there are fewer time constraints and no tests! Those are just some of the reasons winter break camps can be such a treat. Kids can learn computer programming (coding), computer modeling, and even real-world construction in just a few days. We’ve partnered with several of Chicago’s leading STEM education providers to bring you a directory of STEM and maker-themed winter break camps that will keep your ... [ Read More ]
Fall STEM Fun and Themes: November Edition
Whether your family homeschools, supplements with afterschool topics of your own, or you just enjoy learning about the world around you, here are notable STEM themes to run with this autumn! Fall into STEM Fun this November ... [ Read More ]
Private Schools in and around Chicago
If you're a longtime fan of this blog, you know that our family had a lot of school struggles. While I encourage everyone to at least try their public schools, I know they aren't always a fit. We moved our boys to a private school after it became clear that our public school could not meet my son's needs. That's why I put together this Chicago private school guide. It originally appeared on STEM Kids Chicago, and I thought it made sense to share ... [ Read More ]
National Manufacturing Day 2019
It's no secret that I love behind-the-scenes tours. I think it's fascinating to see how things get made. And as we discussed during the recent #STEMchat on STEM at Work in Manufacturing, many people don't have a sense of what a modern manufacturing facility looks like. That's one of the reasons we now have a National Manufacturing Day. It's also one of the reasons I worked with Alcoa Foundation and SkillsUSA earlier this year to clear up ... [ Read More ]
The Best STEM Books for Kids
This post contains affiliate links. We're excited to share this great list of STEM books that feature female scientists, engineers, and protagonists and/or were written by women. After all, Rosie Revere isn't the only engineer to inspire a generation of girls--and boys. These books are appropriate for all kids! And if you want to move beyond books, you can find some of our favorite toys, kits, and robots here. Whether you're looking to add to ... [ Read More ]
AAUW Tech Savvy for Girls
The AAUW, American Association of University Women, offers a STEM program for girls in grades 6-9 called Tech Savvy and it might be coming to your town! AAUW branches in nearly 20 states across the country put on this daylong science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) career conference designed to attract girls to STEM fields. Tech Savvy also has a parent component that keeps families in the know when it comes to STEM education and ... [ Read More ]