Homeschool STEAM Club: Grades 3-5

Our Homeschool STEAM Club for children entering grades 3–5 is all about engineering the best swing set possible!

Throughout five lessons, children will use project- and problem-based learning to investigate, design, build, and test different swing set models. They will draw on physics, mathematics, engineering, English language arts, and social studies to:

• Compare swing set designs for safety and fun.
• Recognize gravity and friction as forces, evaluate how they affect children’s bodies and swing sets on the playground, and identify how these forces factor into design challenges.
• Use the engineering design process to create alternative swing set shapes and designs.
• Collect data using mathematical tools and record it with line plots and bar graphs.
• Build models of their proposed designs and write blogs summarizing improvements that maximize playground fun while minimizing risks.

Each week, children will learn something new about physics and engineering and take part in hands-on activities. We encourage children to attend all five sessions in November and December, if possible, as each lesson builds on the last.

Free for MHDM members; $5 for non-members with museum admission. Program begins promptly at 2 pm. Registration is required. All sales are final and non-refundable.