The Museum of innovation and Science (miSci) held eight weeks of onsite Summer Classes for children in grades K–5 from Monday, June 26, through Friday, August 18, 2023. Classes covered a variety of STEAM-related topics, including ecology, AI, geology, engineering, museum science, and astronomy. Activities included exhibit tours, outdoor games, Planetarium shows, science demonstrations, and hands-on workshops. This year’s program included several guest presenters.
Thank you to everyone who attended, we look forward to seeing you during the break weeks!
The complete schedule was as follows:
Artemis: To the Moon and Beyond
Monday, June 26 – Friday, June 30
Have you heard the news? We’re going back to the moon! NASA plans to land the first woman and first person of color on the moon and use innovative technologies to explore more of the lunar surface than ever before! miSci’s Artemis explorers will learn about the kind of rocket that will bring the astronauts into space and what is next for the moon mission. Don’t miss your chance to be part of the Artemis generation in this fun, space-filled week!
AI4U
Monday, July 3 – Friday, July 7 (no program on July 4)
What do you think of when you hear “AI”? This week, participants learn about AI technology and experiment with how machines learn. You’ll put your big brain to the test and discover how AI technology is developed, and computers keep getting smarter through pattern recognition. Explore the world of machine learning at miSci with this weeklong program!
Adventures in Ecology
Monday, July 10 – Friday, July 14
We spend all our time on our home planet Earth. But have you paid attention to what is really going on around you? Take a closer look at many aspects of the Earth, including exceptionally large and exceedingly small things, from bugs to growing plants to the water we drink and swim in. Slow down and open your eyes, and you will see your home planet in a new way!
Earth Saviors: Going Green
Monday, July 17 – Friday, July 21
Earth is changing every day, and some of those changes are not the best for the planet. Take a deep dive into what changes are happening in our environment, how they impact life on Earth for all living things, and about ways you can make a difference and encourage others to do the same. Go green at miSci and be part of the solution!
By Design
Monday, July 24 – Friday, July 28
Your world is by design! From toys to tools to theme park rides to songs, just about everything manufactured or produced exists because someone designed it to be just that awesome! This week you will learn to think like the artists, designers, and engineers behind some of our favorite things. Along the way, we will find out what makes a good game GREAT and how to create your own design!
Science in the Movies
Monday, July 31 – Friday, August 4
All kinds of wild and fantastic things happen in the movies. But what is the science behind science fiction? Superheroes, disasters, potions, magic, and more — discover the real science that makes your favorite movies so wonderful and engineer some movie magic of your own!
The Ground We Walk On
Monday, August 7 – Friday, August 11
There are so many incredible things to see around us here on Earth, but what is happening underneath us? This week, we look beneath the surface of our planet to check out its hidden layers and what they mean for surface living. We also discover how beautiful gems and crystals are formed and what is going on under us right here in Schenectady!
Junior Curators
Monday, August 14 – Friday, August 18
It’s time to take awesome objects, stories, and discoveries from around the world and show them off! Discover what it takes to present a museum exhibition, just like we have here at miSci! Everyone will get a chance to work with actual artifacts from miSci’s Archives and Collections and put together an exhibit that tells museumgoers all about those amazing items.