The window for ordering Engineering Week Challenge Kits has closed. Look for these kits to be reintroduced at a later date.  

National Engineering Week puts a spotlight on increasing understanding of and interest in the topic of engineering and exposing young people to a variety of technology-related careers. CU Science Discovery invites you to get hands-on and celebrate all things engineering in a number of ways the week of February 21–27, 2021!

The Science Discovery Maker Store has a handful of newly-developed STEM at Home Kits that feature engineering-focused activities that are sure to engage and delight kids in grades K-12:

  • Family Engineering Week Challenge: Geometric Bubbles
  • Family Engineering Week Challenge: Hydraulics 
  • Family Engineering Week Challenge: Notch Block Construction 
  • Family Engineering Week Challenge: Popsicle Stick Bridge 

Complete your Family Engineering Week STEM at Home Kit the week of February 21-27 and share your projects with the Science Discovery community via social media (Facebook, Twitter or Instagram).

Engineering Kit Help and Share Hour

Friday, February 26; 3-4:30pm
Cost: FREE!

Are you running into issues with your popsicle stick bridge or hydraulics kit? Or do you just want to share your design with others and get some feedback on how you might make it even better? Pop into our Engineering Week Open Office Hour to ask questions, share designs and get inspired for how you might take your creations to the next level. A Zoom link and password will be emailed on Thursday, February 25 to all families who purchased a Family Engineering Week Challenge Kit. 

MakeCode with micro:bit

Monday, February 22; 4-5pm
Audience: Appropriate for grade levels 6-12
Cost: FREE!

RSVP Here

Learn how to program using MakeCode for micro:bit! MakeCode is a simple drag-and-drop coding platform that lets you easily build code and send it to an online micro:bit simulator. In just an hour, you’ll learn how to use loops, variables, and coding logic in a fun and easy-to-understand way. With MakeCode, you can create games, tools, and fun programs on any phone or computer that the micro:bit simulator can read and understand. You can use your code, two programmable buttons, and a simple LED screen to detect light, tilt, magnetism, temperature and more, so the possibilities are endless. A dice rolling bot? A face that makes different expressions at you depending on what direction you face? A magic 8 ball with answers you choose? What will you create?

Stuffie Space Suits

Thursday, February 25; 4-5pm
Cost: FREE!

RSVP Here

Join CU’s Technology for Extreme Environments (CUTEE) Club for a fun hands-on learning and making activity. We’ll learn about the role and importance of different parts of a space suit as we get creative and use recycled items to create a space suit for our favorite stuffed animals.

This workshop will require participants to gather some creative building and crafting materials from around the house. Recommended materials include, but are not limited to:

  • Stuffed animal
  • Recyclable materials, plastic bottles, newspaper, cardboard (no glass)
  • Tape
  • Scissors 
  • Paper
  • Misc. crafting materials (whatever you have available – pipe cleaners, popsicle sticks, pom poms, straws, etc.)
  • Glue stick
  • Markers

Looking for additional ways to get involved?

Explore a number of virtual engineering-based activities being offered by Science Discovery partners at the Boulder Public Library (BPL). As you're exploring virtual event offerings through BPL, be sure and take a look at their upcoming Computer Science Education Week (CSED) events. 

Questions? Please reach out via email or leave call back information at 303.492.7188.