K-5

K-5 Students

Why STEM?

Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) are integrated into many industries and some of the fastest growing careers in the country. STEM creates critical thinkers, problem solvers, and pioneering minds which are the driving force behind innovation and a thriving economy. Young children can be inspired to pursue STEM by introducing them to the many cool and exciting job opportunities available in these fields.

Highlighted Career…

Does your child like playing video games? Well, why not a career in video game programming? Game programmers enjoy a rewarding career in a fun and diverse environment and have knowledge in computer programming and graphic design.
For more information on what a career in Game Programming is like, check out the videos below and the following link for an interview with Kelly Murphy, a Disney Video Game Designer: STEM-Works.com.

K-5 STEM Planning

Born to Create…

Did you know that from the moment your child begins to play, he or she is a natural engineer?

Children interact with the world through discovery. They invent, they imagine and they discover. The programs and resources in this section are designed to give your child a jump start into a life of creativity and innovation.
Making Your Child STEM Strong

DEVELOP STRONG MATH SKILLS

Math is the foundation for success in all STEM subjects. By introducing math into day to day life (i.e. going to the grocery store or traveling on the highway) you can help your child connect mathematics with everyday activities. Provide your child with a math-based computer game to enjoy after school, use game play to build skill and confidence in mathematics, or subscribe to an on-line math program such as First In Math.

GET INVOLVED WITH MUSIC

Mathematics and music go hand-in-hand. Studies show that music education may improve spatial reasoning and mathematic acquisition in elementary age children. Music education can help sequential skill development through musical games involving rhythm and pitch.

HANDS-ON STEM EXPERIENCE

Expose your child to many hands-on experiences that involve STEM. Harford and Cecil Counties are within a short drive of many exciting STEM programs–the Aquarium, Maryland Zoo, MD Science Center, Franklin Institute, Smithsonian Museums and much more. You can also sign your child up for summer and extracurricular activities such as Destination Imagination, Invention Convention, First in Math, 4H Youth Development, and summer programs at Harford Community College and Towson University. Follow these links for more information regarding afterschool programs and summer programs.

EXPLORING CAREERS AND INTERESTS

Pay attention to what subjects your child is taking interest in and which ones they are excelling in. By connecting your child’s in-school experiences with out-of-school experiences, they will begin to develop an attitude of “wanting to” pursue STEM courses rather than “having to.” You can help spark interest in STEM in your child by exploring STEM careers. There are many exciting careers in STEM, and you can learn more about your child’s options by visiting sites like Collegeboard.com, MyPlan.com, and STEM-works.com. Another great resource are the many STEM professionals in our community. Chat with people you know in STEM fields to find out more about what they do and what classes they took in school.

K-5 Extracurricular Programs

STEM Activities at Your Child’s School…

Some of the types of STEM programs offered at local Elementary and Middle schools include:

First in Math
Family Math Nights
Chess Clubs
Lego Clubs
Math Olympiads
The Exploravision contest
FIRST Lego League
STEM Superstar Program

These activities will greatly improve your child’s enthusiasm in math and science. Please contact your child’s school to see what is available.

Your Local Library Branch…

The Harford County Public Library and Cecil County Public Library offer various STEM programs for kids of all ages.

The Harford County Public Library has designed the LEAP Program, a series of fun, free, educational programming and equipment kits to enhance interest and competence in STEM fields. Program details and contact information regarding the LEAP Program can be found here.

The Cecil County Public Library also offers STEM activities and classes for children and families. To find out upcoming events at the CCPL, click here. (Hint: use keyword “STEM” to narrow your search for related events).

More STEM Programs In the Community…

Clubs such as the Boys and Girls Club, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts are not specifically geared towards STEM, but offer STEM activities for kids who are interested.

Harford Community College offers non-credit classes for children in engineering and computers.

The following programs are also available in our area:

Online STEM Activities…

Many national and local organizations have websites for children that provide fun and educational activities, games, videos and more. Check out some of the following sites for STEM activities your child can participate in from home.

Local, Regional, and National Competitions…

Math

Math Olympiads – Your school’s math club meets weekly for an hour. Club members explore a topic or strategy in depth, or they practice for the contests. The highlights for students are the five monthly contests, given from November to March. No traveling is required. These contests provide an incentive for students to intensify their study of math.
Grades: 4-8
Cost: $99 per team

MathCounts Competition Program – A national middle school coaching and competitive mathematics program that promotes mathematics achievement through a series of fun and engaging “bee” style contests.
Grades: 6-8
Cost: $100 per team; $30 per individual

Technology

National STEM Video Game Challenge – Middle and high school youth are encouraged to submit their original game designs for the opportunity to earn recognition and prizes for themselves, as well as monetary prizes for their school!
Grades: 5+
Cost: Free

ExploraVision – A science competition that encourages teachers to make science a part of their curriculum. Groups of 2 – 4 students simulate real research and development. Students study a technology of interest and predict what that technology might be like 20 years from now. Teams will explore what is necessary to make their visions a reality. Past winners have envisioned technologies ranging from a self-cleaning toilet to a new method of treating diabetes.
Grades: K-12
Cost: N/A

eCYBERMISSION – In this web-based STEM competition, students compete for regional and national awards while working to solve problems in the community.
Grades: 6-9
Cost: Free

Engineering

Maryland Engineering Challenge – Hosted by the Baltimore Museum of Industry, the mission of the is challenge is to introduce students in grades 1 to 12 to the role of engineers in today’s society and connect what students learn in school with real-world engineering concepts. There are competitions designed specifically for Elementary, Middle, and High School students.
Grades: K-12
Cost: $5 coaches fee

Six Flags America Roller Coaster Design Contest – Teams build roller coaster models built of materials that include wood, wire, string, or other low cost items.
Grades: 5-8 and 9-12
Cost: N/A

Lexus Eco Challenge – The Lexus Eco Challenge is a life-changing opportunity for teens across the nation to make a difference in the environmental health of our planet, one community at a time.
Grades: 6-12
Cost: Free

Team America Rocketry Challenge – Teams design, build and fly a model rocket that reaches a specific altitude and duration determined by a set of rules developed each year.
Grades: 7-12
Cost: Free

Junior FIRST LEGO League (Jr.FLL) – This program features a real-world scientific concept to be explored through research, teamwork, construction, and imagination. Guided by adult Coaches, teams use LEGO® bricks to guild a model that moves and develop a Show-Me Poster to illustrate their journey.
Ages: 6-9
Cost: $50 per team

FIRST LEGO League (FLL) -This program introduces younger students to real-world engineering challenges by building LEGO-based robots to complete tasks on a thematic playing surface. FLL teams, guided by their imaginations and adult coaches, discover exciting career possibilities and, through the process, learn to make positive contributions to society.
Ages: 9-14
Cost: $700 per a team of up to 10 students

K-5 Summer STEM Programs

Check out the following STEM Summer Camps:

Mad Science – This company offers a variety of science themed camps throughout Howard, Carroll, Harford and Baltimore Counties.
Ages: 6-11
Cost: varies with program
Contact Number: (410) 998-9855

Maryland Summer Centers – These are a variety of residential and nonresidential camps with topics such as computer science, engineering, robotics, physics, space science, and environmental science.
Grades: 3-12
Cost: varies with program
Contact Number: (410) 767-0821

Maryland Science Center – They offer a variety of science themed full day and half day camps.
Ages: 6-13
Cost: $140+, varies
Contact Number: (410) 545-2982

Cecil Science Institute – Cecil Science Institute (C.S.I) is a premier camp with hands-on fun and innovative activities for kids ages 8-12. Students explore many exciting pathways of science and technology. Half day camps available.
Ages: 8-12
Cost: $135 per 1/2 day weekly section
Contact Number: (410) 392-3366, ext. 628

Harford Community College – HCC offers summer programs with topics covering subjects such as robotics, engineering, space, electronics, and flight. Half day and full day weekly programs are available.
Grades: 1-6; varies with program
Cost: $175-$234; varies with program
Contact Number: (443) 412-2376

Camp Invention – The Camp Invention program instills vital 21st century life skills such as problem-solving and teamwork through hands-on fun. There are many locations throughout central Maryland, and each camp follows a curriculum that covers a variety of science topics.
Grades: 1-6
Cost: Approx. $220; varies with location
Contact Number: (800) 968-4332

iD Tech Camps – Offered at Towson University. Curriculum areas include programming, engineering, animation, and robotics. Week long, over-night and day camps available.
Ages: 7-17
Cost: $829-$879; varies by program
Contact Number: 1-888-709-TECH(8324)

Gains in the Education of Mathematics and Science (GEMS) – A program where military labs run a 1-4 week in-depth hands-on STEM experience for middle and high school students. The purpose of GEMS is to provide introductory experiences in STEM and spark interest among students.
Grades: 7-11
Cost: Student participants receive a small stipend to offset the costs of participating in GEMS.

University of Maryland Young Scholars Discovery – For two extraordinary weeks, Discovery scholars meet, live, and study with other talented middle school students in many of the same world-class facilities used by Maryland’s full-time college students. Scholars attend class, enjoy field trips and guest speakers, participate in coursework and projects, and engage with other students during seminars and social activities. Students choose a course from topics such as architecture and forensics.
Grades: 7-8
Cost: TBA

Anita C. Leight Estuary Center – Paddle the watery world of Otter Point Creek, explore the forest habitat, track down the wild and green things that live around us, and investigate the mysteries of nature in their science lab. Dare to adventure the out of doors and see what fun nature exploration can be!
Ages: 5-17; varies with program
Cost: $90-110; varies with program

EcoTech Camps – EchoTech Camps offers a STEM week which is designed as a contest for inventive young people who can think creatively and analytically in order to design and build a fast crash-worthy car. They’ll use cutting-edge Vernier equipment to measure variables in their independent investigations.
Ages: 8-14
Cost: $220

Hereford Robotics Summer Camp – At this camp, kids will explore lifting, driving, walking and sensor guiding robots, design robots to complete specified tasks, build robots to participate in robotics competition, program robots to operate autonomously and remote control, and compete in the end of camp tournament.
Grades: 5-7
Cost: $250

Math and Science Camp – An intensive one-week academic program providing students with hands-on learning in the areas of engineering, robotics, and flight & rocketry.
Grades: 5-11
Cost: TBA

University of Maryland Materials Research Science and Engineering Center– The camps provide a venue to share cutting-edge science and technology, and to generate interest among budding young scientists. The camps also strive to build confidence in students’ abilities in and perception of science and engineering. The camps are designed with teachers to meet STEM curriculum needs and standards, and to build appreciation for science and engineering. High school camps include specific curriculum goals that are incorporated into students’ fall semester learning and final semester evaluation.
Grades: 4-12
Cost: Free