Early December Newsletter

New programs and projects for December!

New holiday projects for winter! Once again Kaleidoscope is here with details about classes we’re offering, upcoming events, fun projects, interesting news, and other information to guide your family’s science, technology, engineering, math, and maker explorations. We hope you’ll share with all your friends. If you would like more frequent updates, please check out our Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram feeds. Or bookmark our website for easy reference. Want to get our newsletter delivered to your mailbox twice a month? Sign up today! We never share your information with others.

Featured Projects

Light-up Origami Box My 25 Days of Making project for 2020! I love projects like this because they give my students so many opportunities to express themselves while learning skills like electrical circuits and coding. Learn more>>>

Light-up Duct Tape Bag This project can be customized with all kinds of colors and patterns of tape, making it a fantastic hand-made gift item. Light it up with a simple circuit and switch, and you’ll be the brightest student in class! Learn more>>>

Looking for more fun projects on everything from crafting to coding? Check out The Big Book of Maker Camp Projects, written by Sandy Roberts and published by McGraw-Hill. With over 100 activities for all ages and all budgets, it’s sure to inspire your learner. It makes a great gift! Learn more>>

Featured Classes!

Winter Wonderland Full of magic and wonder, winter is a fantastic time to delve into the marvels of nature and science in this workshop. Participants will be grouped by ages and led through exciting projects that explore ice, snow, winter solstice, and more. Blending art and science with each experiment, participants will create amazing items to take home. Hosted by Blairstown Recreation Department.  Who:  Grades K-6 When: Tuesday, December 15 Time:  3:15 — 5:15 pm EST Where: Online, via Zoom $25.00/resident, $30/non-resident All materials included! Learn more and register>>>

Holly Jolly Circuits It’s time to celebrate all those great winter holidays by creating fun, unique light-up paper crafts to decorate your home or give as gifts. Building paper circuits are a fantastic, hands-on way to learn electronics while crafting. Join Maker Camp host and STEM educator, Sandy Roberts, for this very special holiday class. Hosted with a new platform for Maker Education, Maker Campus. Who:  Ages 8-14 When: Thursday, December 17 Time:  4:00 – 5:30 pm EST OR 6:30 – 8:00 pm EST Where: Online, via Zoom Fee:  $25/home Learn more and register>>>

Holiday Math Crafts Explore math in a fun, hands-on way with Holiday Math Crafts! In this workshop, we’ll create beautiful snowflakes and stars was we learn geometry together. Then we’ll put the power of fractals to use as we make unique holiday cards. Engage the brain and decorate your home for the holiday season! Hosted with a new platform for Maker Education, Maker Campus. Who:  Ages 8-18 When: Tuesday, December 22 Time:  4:00 – 5:30 pm EST OR 6:30 – 8:00 pm EST Where: Online, via Zoom Fee:  $25/home Learn more and register>>>

Virtual Hackathon In honor of Computer Science Education Week, we’re hosting our third annual Hackathon on Saturday, December 12 from 10 am to 4 pm. There will be projects for every age, interest, and skill level on topics of coding, graphic arts, electronics, and more. We’ll also have great speakers and the opportunity to win prizes! Hosted by Warren County Library System. Schedule (more to be announced) 10:00 am – Kick off! 11:00 am – Education Panel 1:00 pm – Keynote Speaker, Bianca Lewis of Girls Who Hack 3:30 pm – Closing Ceremony Learn more and register>>>

Featured Events

Jingle on Main is a holiday festival traditionally held on Main Street in historic Blairstown, New Jersey on Small Business Saturday- the first Saturday following Thanksgiving. Due to public health concerns, it’s being held virtually this year by the Blairstown Enhancement Committee. The website features a huge online marketplace of businesses and products. Check out the website for a great virtual marketplace for the holiday season! We’re proud to be part of this event. Be sure to visit our page!

From Our Friends

Paper Airplane Competition North Warren STEM/ Robotics Team is hosting a couple of community competitions over the next few months. The first of these is a paper airplane competition for three grade bands. All North Warren areas students are welcome to participate. Once your plane is done, and you have recorded a video of it doing all 4 of the design characteristics, please use the link below to submit your airplane. Judges for this are the lead engineering students of NWR Robotics Team 6945. Prizes will be awarded. Please have designs be original. Enter your airplane today!

Chill with Santa Now that Santa doesn’t have to fly back and forth to the North Pole every day, there’s more time to chill with friends! This is a collaboration between two Rochester, NY area creative studios: ROC Vox Recording and Production (rocvox.com), and Airigami (airigami.com); both known for developing and producing high-quality entertainment and exploring new avenues for experiences. The Chill with Santa project celebrates the season and provides a safe alternative to the traditional communal visit to “see Santa”.  Use code “Kellytheelf” for $10 off!