Summer love: Spark kids’ interest in STEM!

Little League, fishing, theater camp—for kids, summer can be a time to enjoy hobbies and explore new interests. In the Science Mill’s work with STEM professionals, we often hear how these childhood passions inspired later career choices. In fact, that idea helps shape the Science Mill’s exhibits: we create fun, hands-on experiences with authentic tools and real-world challenges that let kids step into different STEM careers. Think of your museum visit as a STEM career sampler! Botanists, programmers, astronauts—who will your kids be? Come see what sparks curiosity. Whether it becomes this summer’s obsession or the start of something bigger, the Science Mill has resources to help you nurture their interests. We’ve put together a list below of some favorite exhibits and paired them with STEM activities to support further exploration after your visit. And don’t hesitate to contact our Education team for more ideas! You can also find STEM activity kits and books in the Mill’s Science Store, onsite and online.

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Fossil Dig / Jurassic Flight 4D / Dinosaurs of Antarctica

Spark an interest in: geology, paleontology

This dino-mite trio is a must-do for many visitors. In the outdoor Fossil Dig exhibit, kids become paleontologists as they use shovels and brushes to uncover fossil replicas and try to identify the prehistoric creatures they’ve unearthed. From hands-on to high-tech, Jurassic Flight 4D combines richly detailed virtual reality and a full-body motion board to create the seamless sensation of soaring through a world of dinosaurs. Stop by the front desk to sign up for your flight; Jurassic Flight 4D is now located in Studio 2. (And something *NEW* is coming in its former spot soon!) Our current science movie, Dinosaurs of Antarctica, takes kids to Earth’s coldest continent as part of a team of scientists on a quest to uncover the amazing animals that lived there hundreds of millions of years ago. June is the last month to catch this special feature! While all these experiences fuel kids’ interest in dinosaurs, they also introduce geology, environmental science, and Earth systems. CGI recreations and 4D experience showcase biomechanics, computer programming, and the intersection of art with STEM.

Take it further: Explore the prehistoric Hill Country

Pair your museum visit with a family road trip that explores the geological history of the Hill Country. Numerous state parks are just a short drive from the Science Mill. Kids age seven and up can hunt for real fossils and dinosaur tracks on the Canyon Lake Gorge Tour, or stop at the Heritage Museum of the Texas Hill Country for fossil exhibits and model dinosaurs.

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Incredible Ball Machine / Race Track /
Sailboats / Wind Turbine Test Bed

Spark an interest in: physics, engineering

These are just a few of the Science Mill exhibits where kids can experiment with energy and motion. The one-of-a-kind Incredible Ball Machine seems like a madcap mini roller coaster, but look closely to spot pulleys, levers and other simple machines you can control. Try to predict the path each ball with take! At the Race Track, design, build and test drive a custom car that combines the basics of mechanical and electrical engineering. Wind power gets things moving at the Wind Turbine Test Bed and Sailboats exhibits. Try out different combinations to see what makes things move farther or faster—you’ll be problem-solving like engineers, mechanics, renewable energy technicians, and physicists!

Take it further: Rube Goldberg Challenge & more ways to tinker

Take inspiration from Rube Goldberg—a cartoonist known for drawing elaborate machines designed to do simple, silly tasks—and set up your own crazy contraption using everyday items. Check out our Explorer Zone feature for examples and additional activities. Or, compete in the Simple Machines Olympics!

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Critter Bots / Colossal Robotic Hand / Go with the Flow

Spark an interest in: computer science, robotics

Hooves stamp, claws dig and rattles shake when you bring the Critter Bots to life with the basics of coding. Stack digital blocks—each with a simple instruction like “move head up,” “repeat 2x,” “wait 3 seconds”—to build a custom program. At the Colossal Robotic Hand, the see-through controller lets you peek at potentiometers and circuitry as you send an “extra high” five. Think like a programmer: what sequence of moves would you have the hand follow to take on a new pose? (Hint: we had to program the hand to make sure joints move in sequence and fingers don’t bang into the thumb.) For a closer look at circuits, the Go with the Flow exhibit lets you experiment with the flow of alternating current (AC) and direct current (DC) electricity.

 Take it further: Coding apps, robotics & “offline” programming

Scratch and Hopscotch are two free programming platforms where kids can experiment with the basics of coding to play and create games, animated stories and more. Visit our blog for teen-approved tips for getting started with programming and robotics. Concerned about screen time? Build problem-solving skills offline using the Engineering Design Process or creating a paper prototype robotic hand.

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Masters of Disguise / Virtual Body Table /
Aquaponics Greenhouse / Chemical Reactions

Spark an interest in: biology & life science, chemistry

In the Masters of Disguise exhibit, take a closer look at animals that blend in, stand out, confuse the eye or hide in plain sight. How might scientists, inventors and designers draw inspiration from these wild adaptations? Brainstorm ideas throughout the exhibit! Be sure to check out the other hands-on experiences in the BioLab as well. The Virtual Body Table lets you look at how bodies work, inside and out, thanks to 3D models created from CT scans. From body systems to ecosystems, find out how we grow plants without soil in the Aquaponics Greenhouse, which combines hydroponics (growing plants in water) and aquaculture (raising fish). While lush plants take the spotlight, it’s a chemical cycle behind the scenes that keeps things growing. You can explore more chemistry at the Chemical Reactions exhibit, an interactive touchscreen where you can digitally experiment with nitrogen, hydrogen, oxygen and other “building blocks of life.”  

Take it further: DIY hydroponics & citizen science projects

The Explorer Zone has instructions for growing your own plants without soil; if your family is really inspired, we also have tips for setting up a full aquaponics system! Spend time observing wildlife in your backyard (or one of the state parks we mentioned earlier) and use the iNaturalist app to identify what you find. You’ll also find nationwide projects where you can join other citizens in sharing observations that aid scientists.  

Meet the teens behind the bots

The Science Mill is thrilled to have members of The Spring Konstant, a FIRST Robotics Competition Team at Dripping Springs High School, join us for Robotics Day on May 14! We chatted with four teammates—sophomore Alexa and freshmen Gavin, Shaun, and Marshall—who shared their experiences and advice for kids interested in trying robotics.

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Balls fly toward hoops as the crowd cheers, players dodging each other to line up shots. Fans hold their breath as competitors try to grab a bar high above before the clock ticks down. Welcome to the world of FIRST Robotics Competition, where teams of teens design, build and operate custom robots to take on challenging tasks.

Gavin witnessed the excitement of a FIRST Robotics Competition when his older sister participated. “It was intense and complex; I was already interested in STEM and I knew I wanted to have that experience, too.” As a 4th or 5th grader, Shaun also saw a competition and was fascinated. “I thought, ‘The second I’m in high school, I’m doing that!’ I remember seeing this wild set up with an Xbox controller and a mass of wiring and wondering what was going on. Looking back, it now makes sense to me how that would all go together.” For Marshall, joining the robotics team built on his childhood love of LEGO engineering sets. “It was a new outlet to tap that interest and apply engineering skills to real world problems.”

Alexa’s reaction to robotics competitions was a little different. “I thought it was nerdy!” she confesses with a laugh. She first learned about the program from her cousins, but a computer science teacher encouraged her to give it a second look. “I had this idea that you had to be super smart in STEM to do robotics. Really, it’s about working hard and having a positive mindset to take on new challenges.”

All four teens emphasize that you do NOT need a background in engineering or programming to join a robotics team. The season starts with rapid prototyping sessions and clinics to build skills in five key areas: electronics; tools/hardware; programming/software; computer-aided design (CAD), which allows them to create their robot virtually and send out specs to manufacture custom parts; and business, which includes developing pitch presentations and securing sponsors. Later, different schools meet up for team-to-team coaching clinics. “Sometimes it’s just easier to understand things from a peer,” the teens note. By the end of the training period, everyone has earned an OSHA certification—after all, they’ll be the ones running a workshop full of serious fabrication tools once the big build starts.

The official kick-off event in January reveals that year’s game from FIRST. This includes the layout of the playing arena, tasks the robots will be required to complete, possible points teams can earn for different tasks, and restrictions they’ll need to follow. For the 2021-22 season, robots needed to shoot balls into a hoop that is 8 ft. 8in. high and climb up a set of vertical bars, the tallest at 7 ft. 7in. Robots could weigh up to 120 pounds and be a maximum 4 ft. 6 in. tall at the start of a match, with no parts more than 16 in. past the base—a restriction that meant any “arms” for the climbing challenge had to be fully retractable.

How each team decides to interpret the requirements is part of the game. “There are lots of ways to solve the same problem. Crazy ideas can be solutions and it’s fun to surprise everyone with stuff you never thought robots could do,” says Shaun. For instance, do you turn your robot to shoot a ball or design a rotating turret to shoot from any position? Have a human operator line up shots or use a computer-guided system to calculate distance, speed, and angle? Build an extra-speedy intake to scoop up multiple balls? Create a catapult to hit the higher hoop that’s worth more points? One team this season wowed everyone with a robot that sprang straight to the highest (and highest scoring) rung in the climb challenge.

Even when a wild idea works, it might not make the final cut. “At the start of the season, our team split into groups to work on different tasks,” Alexa explains. “While the independent parts were good, we discovered later they didn’t go together.” The team realized they needed to improve their communication for a successful season. “You’re all working on one problem—how to build this robot—and you have to solve it with collaboration,” adds Marshall. “It makes you realize that, outside of robotics, you can meet other problems better with collaboration, too.”

Collaboration and communication play a crucial role in the competition as well, thanks to FIRST Robotic’s unique 3-on-3 game play: any three robots can be put together at random to face off against three others. “So even though it’s a competition, it's not about rivalry; it’s alliances and you really work with everyone,” says Alexa. Teams have just 10 minutes to talk through their bots’ strengths and weaknesses and agree on a strategy to rack up points. For example, one robot might need to play defense, while another robot focuses on scoring hoops. To earn ranking points, which qualify teams for state and world competitions, at least two of the group’s three robots had to successfully climb. “You literally can’t do it alone,” Gavin emphasizes. “Our mentor Dr. E [a local software engineer for Intel] likes to say it’s not about being the best team or having the best robot. It’s about the team spirit and the experience you get participating in the whole process.”

Watch Spring Konstant and their Red Alliance in a 3-on-3 match

Along with team building and meeting new people, the teen’s favorite parts of robotics are also some of the most challenging. “Nothing goes right the first time!” they joke. “You think something will go together so well…and it doesn’t,” shares Shaun. “You solve one problem, and it just creates more issues with the next step.” But they agree this makes it even more satisfying when things do finally work. Gavin and Marshall look back fondly now on the frustration of taking apart the robot’s gearbox ten times. Alexa recalls the triumph of cracking the trigonometry behind a bar-skipping climb. Being part of robotics has pushed them all to try new things that go beyond circuits and code, including developing their identities as leaders. Through outreach events like Robotics Day at the Science Mill, the team introduces younger kids to engineering and programming concepts.

What comes after the robotics team? Shaun is interested in aerospace engineering, while Marshall is intrigued by microchips and may pursue electrical engineering. Robotics has helped Alexa realize how her knack for programming could amplify her passion for health science, perhaps developing software for medical machinery. Gavin thinks he’ll likely go into engineering, but is quick to point out that their experiences on the team go beyond that. “You don’t need to do engineering as a career to benefit from robotics; STEM skills are needed in any job, to help you look at things in new ways.”

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What's it like being a beekeeper?

STEM career INTERVIEW with Michael Mendez

Meet Michael Mendez, Texas beekeeper. Along with his own beeyard in Creedmore, Mike manages hives for Jester King Brewery and Community First! Village, where he also teaches beekeeping. When locals need a swarm relocated or beekeeping advice, Mike is the go-to guy.    

Mike and his beekeeping gear return to the Science Mill on Saturday, April 23 for Butterfly Bonanza & Pollinator Pals—stop by to ask him your beekeeping questions!

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How did you get started in beekeeping?

I’ve had an interest in nature since I was a kid and always loved being outdoors. Growing up in San Antonio, I got involved with the bird banding program at Mitchell Lake. By the time I was 18, I’d completed all the requirements to become a Texas Master Naturalist.

Beekeeping was right up my alley, but it still kind of happened by chance. My landlord was interested in beekeeping, and I helped him get set up. We had a master beekeeper visit one day; I learned so much watching how he handled the hive and he encouraged me to jump in. I started attending Texas Beekeeper Association meetings, reading everything I could, weeding through YouTube videos to find the best resources, and took the plunge starting my own hives. For the last decade, I’ve managed anywhere from a few to twenty hives at a time. Now I’m a step away from completing my own Texas Master Beekeeper certification.

What tools do you use as a beekeeper?

I currently keep my bees in Langstroth hives; those are the vertically stacked boxes you’ve probably seen. I’m thinking, however, about starting some top bar hives this season. They’re V-shaped, like a trough, and the bees attach their comb directly to tapered bars that hang down from the top. It’s like a single-story house where bees can travel front to back, so there’s less heavy lifting to check on the bees or harvest honey.

Protective gear is a must. You need a veil for your face and eyes and ideally a suit to cover your arms. The smoker helps keep you and the bees safe, too. There’s some debate around what smokers do. From my observations, the smoke helps block guard bees’ alarm pheromones. And if you wait a moment, the bees will start eating their nectar stores—they think it’s a fire and are preparing to evacuate. They’re focused on that job, so you can focus on yours.

There are lots of cool beekeeping gadgets. Bees use propolis (plant resin mixed with wax) to seal the hive, so you need a hive tool for unsticking and prying frames out. Queen cages are neat: they help you safely introduce a new queen while the other bees get used to her smell. I like to carry a magnifying glass, too, for getting a closer look.

Mike’s beekeeping tools in action

What skills do beekeepers need?

Observe, observe, observe! That’s true with rearing any kind of livestock: you need to spend time with the animals, get to know their behaviors, understand what their baseline looks like and see what signals a change.

Beekeepers also need a strong understanding of bee biology. The bee life cycle, from egg to adult, is my key to decoding problems; I can see where there’s a break in that cycle. I have a mental checklist when I visit a hive: I go through what’s supposed to be there and in what stage—brood, adult bees, wax, comb, nectar, pollen, honey—then compare that to what I actually see (or what’s missing) to identify issues.

One of my favorite things about beekeeping is that it’s totally in the moment. This is high-focus work. You’re looking for eggs smaller than a grain of rice or a queen who blends in with the comb, all while bees buzz around and warning pheromones burn your eyes. You need to stay calm, stay focused, and move methodically. Working with bees trains you to be a strategic thinker, so you can respond quickly in the moment—like planning ahead how you’ll reach your car keys if you encounter an aggressive hive!

Chatting with Science Mill visitors at last year’s Butterfly Bonanza event

STEM CAREER SPOTLIGHT

So: could beekeeping be a good fit for you?

Here are some key interests and skills related to beekeeping; if these sound like you or are things you’d like to develop, beekeeping could be a good match:

• Curious about how things grow and cycles of change

• Enjoy working outdoors

• Like insects and plants

• Strong observation skills

• Analytical thinker

• Able to maintain focus in the moment

• Good manual dexterity / enjoy working with your hands

You might also be interested in STEM fields similar to beekeeping, such as careers in agriculture, horticulture, animal science and natural resources. Our Explorer Zone episode on the Aquaponics Greenhouse has some good recommendations to check out. Beekeeping is also a great example of a STEM career where you build skills through on-the-job experience, rather than in a formal classroom setting. If that appeals to you, look into STEM fields that include trade schools and on-the-job apprenticeships – for example, solar electrician/solar installer.

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MORE TO EXPLORE

• Butterfly Bonanza & Pollinator Pals on April 23

• Follow Mike’s beekeeping adventures on Instagram: @beekeeper_mike_mendez

• 13 ways to help bees and butterflies

• Make your yard a pollinator pit stop

• Texas Master Naturalist program – A big inspiration for Mike; program volunteers will be joining the Science Mill for Butterfly Bonanza, so you can learn more, too!

• iNaturalist – Mike uses this out in the field to identify native bee species and other wildlife

• Xerces.org – The latest news and ways to get involved with bee and pollinator conservation

Simple Machines Olympics

This Spring Break, the Science Mill is exploring the science behind your favorite sports with two-weeks of heart-pumping activities. Start training with this intro to the six simple machines that help our bodies, inside and out.

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Two unlikely things that have a lot in common: the Olympics and the Science Mill’s Incredible Ball Machine. Sure, both are filled with thrills and spills. But behind the complex action, what they really share are simple machines.

Simple machines use energy to perform work. By harnessing the energy of motion, they make our work easier—like helping us move heavy loads or get somewhere faster with less effort.

In the Incredible Ball Machine, you’ll spot gears (wheel and axle), pulleys, slanted tracks (inclined planes), an auger (screw) and even a skateboard lever working together to keep balls in motion. (The only simple machine you won’t spot is a wedge.)

And at the Olympics? Winter or summer, you’ll see athletes team up with simple machines. Divers bouncing on boards, crews rowing with oars, and hockey players swinging sticks all put different types of levers to work. Some simple machines are obvious, like the wheels and axles that propel bike races; others are more hidden, like the pulleys used to control rigs in sailing competitions. And those snow-covered slopes that make for extreme skiing are really massive inclined planes!

The coolest simple machines, however, are inside the athletes’ bodies—and yours. Our bones, joints and muscles act as levers, with elbows and the balls of our feet as fulcrums. Ball-and-socket joints in our shoulders and hips aren’t true wheels and axles, but serve a similar function. (Wheels don’t really occur in living things; there’s an evolutionary dilemma of how to get nutrients to a free-moving part. But scientists have discovered a weevil with screw-and-nut knee joints!) Our tendons and kneecap form a pulley system that redirects force, keeping our bones from crunching together as we lift and bend the lower leg. Our teeth are an all-star team of tiny wedges.

As complex machines, our bodies do an amazing job of coordinating these simple machines with other systems; yet sometimes things go wrong. Misdirected forces may make work less efficient or cause strain and injury. Reminders to “lift with the legs” or “stand up straight” are actually ways to keep our body machines in balance. Understanding the simple machines at work in our bodies is important not only to athletes and trainers, but to many STEM careers, including surgeons, physical therapists, rehabilitation specialists, designers of orthotics and prosthetics, ergonomic analysts, biomedical engineers, and roboticists.

Via Quora (uncredited)

TRY IT AT HOME OR SCHOOL

Compete in the Simple Machines Olympics!
Check out our Explorer Zone video on the Incredible Ball Machine for info and inspiration, then choose how you want to compete:

• Design challenge – Come up with a Rube Goldberg-inspired contraption that uses multiple simple machines to complete a task in a wild way. Earn a perfect technical score (6/6) by incorporating an example from each of the six classes of simple machines; increase your style score with one point for every simple machine you use in total.

• Physical challenge – Create a hexathlon (aka a six-event competition) with an event for each of the six simple machines using everyday items. For example, who can prop a door open (wedge), untwist 10 jar lids (screw), push a box up a ramp (inclined plane), or complete a lap by scooter (wheel and axle) the fastest? Who can lift the most weight with a pulley? Who has the best aim using a broom (lever) to sweep a ball into a goal?
  

Career Connection
“Our computer models capture and calculate different exercises, so we can see which have high force and high stress on the joints…Something that works for one person may not work for another, and that holds true for different surgical techniques, different exercises and different rehab programs.”

– Dr. Naiquan (Nigel) Zheng, Biomechanics 3-D Motion Analysis, Center for Biomedical Engineering and Science, UNC-Charlotte

MORE TO EXPLORE

Science Takes the Field – Spring Break at the Science Mill, March 7-March 18, 2022

Explorer Zone: Incredible Ball Machine (Video + activities, games, career connections)

Seeing Inside the Human Machine (Video)