Explore the scientific principles of force and motion, magnetism and more while learning how to incorporate hands-on activities for early elementary students. NYSCI staff will model creative techniques and sensory rich exploration from racing vehicles down zip-lines to painting with magnets. Learn how to incorporate hands-on engineering activities for early learners that are aligned to the Common Core and NYC Science Scope and Sequence.

From soil exploration and using flowers and fruits for natural dying to recreating the rock cycle using colorful playdoh, participants will use scientific processes and tools to explore the qualities of earth materials and build science inquiry skills including observation, making predictions, experimentation and communication. Learn how to incorporate hands-on activities that introduce earth materials science to early learners. Connections will be made to the Common Core standards and the NYC Science Scope and Sequence.

Learn how to incorporate playful and interactive activities for early elementary students that demonstrate animal adaptations across various biomes. Participants will learn how to utilize designing and making strategies that investigate the differences in animals including predator/prey relationships and how animals have adapted to survive in the environments that they live in. Connections will be made to the Common Core and NYC Science Scope and Sequence.

Explore different types of electricity, investigate how to use everyday materials as an avenue into understanding conductivity, and engage in hair-raising, design-based activities that effectively demonstrate and engage students in learning about electricity. Special emphasis on connections to Common Core ELA, NYS 4th Grade Performance Exam and the NYC Science Scope and Sequence.

Discover how biology and nature can inspire inventions by exploring form, function, and adaptations of plants and animals through a series of hands-on, design-based challenges. Conduct various activities that illustrate how animals adapt to their environment and how these adaptations can be used in a series of engineering challenges. Connections to Common Core ELA and the NYC Science Scope and Sequence will be made.

Using an assortment of simple materials, participate in a series of challenges to build and design strong, stable structures. The structures built will range from large freestanding structures to small tabletop structures that test weight, durability, and ability to withstand extreme environmental conditions. Special emphasis on connections to Common Core ELA and the engineering design process will be made.

Learn how to apply concepts of force and motion to meet a variety of engaging design challenges including marshmallow catapults, “ski jump” rollercoasters, and launching straw rockets. Explore how these activities help students better understand Newton’s Law of Motion and how they can be modified for various grade units. Connections to Common Core ELA, NYS 8th Grade Performance Exam and the NYC Science Scope and Sequence will be made.

Explore various design challenges that can be replicated in the classroom to learn about the properties of light (including reflection, absorption, refraction and diffraction) and how light interacts with different types of matter. Connections to Common Core ELA and the NYC Science Scope and Sequence will be made.

• Planning meetings with program/project ecosystem
• Identify existing STEM program gaps
• STEM space assessment & inventory
• Set overarching goals & objectives

• Science coaching visits
• Curriculum development
• Professional development
  • Workshops: On-on-one, cohort, all staff (in-person or virtual)
  • Lesson Modeling: coach leads, educator leads, co-teaching, fishbowl
• Family engagement experiences
• STEM materials or space development

• Educator self- assessment & goal setting
• Coach feedback & guidance
• Best practices
• Areas of growth
• Recommendations & next steps