Exciting news: the 3M Young Scientist Challenge in partnership with Discovery Education has extended the deadline to May 16, 2022! This means there’s still time for your 5-8th grader to enter our nation’s leading science competition for young students. The How is easy, so let me get to that first. How to Enter the 3M 2022 Young Scientist Challenge ... [ Read More ]
Amelia Earhart Book for Kids: Easter Eggs
It was a thrill to write my first book, It's Her Story: Amelia Earhart. And it's a graphic novel, to boot! It was an exciting challenge to fit a lot of information about the aviator's life into a few dozen pages in a way that would be accessible and inspiring to elementary school readers. As a record-breaking pilot, she had so many professional accomplishments to share. I wrote the narrative and the dialog. And though I did not draw the images ... [ Read More ]
Open House Chicago: More Weekend Fun
Chicago Architecture Foundation Save the Date! The details are still coming together, but Open House Chicago is scheduled to take place on October 15 and 16, 2022. Sponsored by the Chicago Architecture Foundation, Open House Chicago provides behind-the-scenes glimpses and tours of many of Chicago's architectural gems. The free(!) public event runs throughout the weekend. Feeling spontaneous? Great! No reservations are needed. Just ... [ Read More ]
Chicago Summer STEM Camps 2022
Is it possible that all those hours your child spends on their computer will lead to a lucrative career? With the right guidance, all that screen time may pay off! To help that process, we're presenting Chicagoland's most comprehensive guide to STEM and STEAM camps. Whether they are in elementary school, middle school, or high school, these camps can ignite your child's passion for science and technology or fan the flames that are already ... [ Read More ]
Applications Open for the USNA STEM Camp 2022
It's that time again. I know a lot of you are looking for Chicago STEM camps, but if you want a unique experience that will not only be fun but (I'm guessing) will also help your teen stand out in the college admissions process, be sure to look into the USNA STEM Camp. The Summer STEM Program at the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland is accepting applications through March 31, 2022 The son of a Maker Mom reader attended a couple ... [ Read More ]
Wally Funk is Going to Space! (And I Wrote a Book!)
Wally Funk is headed to space! Back in 1961, she was part of the secret Mercury 13 project that tested a small group of women for fitness for space travel. Despite passing rigorous physical and medical tests, isolation tests, and more, the project (a private venture, not an official NASA one) was put on hold. When funding was cut, they were summarily dismissed. They did not all go gently, but their protests did nothing to change the outcome of ... [ Read More ]
2021 Summer STEM Camp Guide: Chicago Edition
Is it possible that all those hours playing Minecraft will lead your child to a lucrative career? With the right guidance, all that screen time may pay off! In partnership with our companion site, STEM Kids Chicago, we're present with Chicagoland's most comprehensive guide to STEM and STEAM camps. Whether they are in elementary school, middle school, or high school, these camps can ignite your child's passion for science and technology or fan the ... [ Read More ]