On Saturday, October 3, from 12:30 am – 4:00 pm, the Aylus members from Oyster Bay Branch, Roslyn branch and Garden City branch volunteered at the Bryant Library to host a STEM workshop event for children grades 4-8.
During this event we introduced advanced STEM topics, such as renewable energy sources, solar powered airplane, and space travel wellness technology. The young participants also assembled solar powered airplane models and solar powered spinning satellite models with the help of our volunteers.
We provided a positive and inspiring environment where young minds could learn and interact. By working with children ages 9–14, we were able to connect with students of different ages and backgrounds through our presentations and activities.
Oyster Bay and Roslyn members started preparations 2 weeks in advance. There were two meetings prior to the 10/3 workshop. With the experience of our first STEM workshop in May, our presenters gained more presentational skills, they reviewed and polished new presentations. And prepared workshop materials, assigned groups, and brainstormed ideas on how to enhance the excitement for the event.
On the day of the event, members showed up early to set up the table, chairs, and distributed building kits, survey paper and pencils for each participant. They then set up the projector and sound systems, practiced the presentation once more, and greeted the first kid to arrive. Once the participants started filtering in, the receptionists welcomed them with a name label and guided them to their seats.
We set up different assemblies for each age group and assigned an equal number of volunteers to help each group. The solar panels in each build kit taught the kids how using solar energy could be transferred into mechanical energy.
The MCs and presenters had great Q&A interactions with young participants, which allowed kids to use their imagination to expand their view on space life and energy science. There was a smooth integration between the volunteers helping the children learn while still maintaining a light and entertaining atmosphere. At the end of the event, we even had a paper airplane competition, where all the participants and volunteers folded and tested their own paper airplanes to see whose could fly the farthest. It was a fun way to end the event on a high note.
Through this STEM workshop, our volunteers were able to learn valuable lessons in interacting with the children, on how to offer assistance and reach out to one another, and learn to think on our feet and adjust to unexpected situations.
Members participated:
Oyster Bay branch:
Amanda Li (3.5 hours), Thomas Dai (3.5 hours), Isabella Yu (2.5 hours), Luke (2.5 hours).
Li Ma (Adult) (3.5 hours)
Solar powered model kits(airplane model and precious rocket launching system model & wind power mill model) sponsor: Xi’an Solar Energy Society & Green and Low-Carbon Innovation Studio
Reporter: Amanda Li