Minnetonka Community Education

Mailed STEM Kits with Activity Guides. Complete these experiments (designed by Science Explorers!) as your schedule permits. Kits are mailed and will arrive within 5 business days. Three Kit Options: Kit 1: Chemistry, Aerospace & Electricity: Click Here for details Kit 2: Engineering & Chemistry with PH: Click Here for details Recommended Ages: Working with an adult ages, 8+. Working under adult supervision, ages 12+.

This kit will have your budding scientist exploring the science side of STEM with engaging experiments and activities. It is more than hands-on...its hands in! Be prepared to have fun and get messy. First, learn about primary and secondary colors with Color Mixing Magic. Then, in States of Matter your scientist will investigate the three most common states in our environment with four exciting experiments. Finally, with Silly Slime, learn why slime is delightfully bouncy, stretchy and sticky as your scientist mixes up their own batch of slime and explores its properties. Kit Includes: pipette color mixing tablets color noodles pipe cleaner bottle of bubble solution and wand blank greeting cards and envelopes 3 colors powdered paint glue shaving cream craft stick 30ml measure cup bowl with lid for storage Color Mixing Magic Activity Guide States of Matter Activity Guide Silly Slime Activity Guide and more Materials Not Included with Kit: water paper towels scissors bowl and cups small waterproof containers of different size and shape for pouring water markers optional paintbrush Kit Warnings: WARNING: Items in this kit are for external use only. Do not eat or drink any substance contained in this kit. Keep out of eyes, nose, and mouth. WARNING:CHOKING HAZARD--Small parts. Not for children under 3 years of age.

**PLEASE NOTE: Practice times/days will be determined by the volunteer coach & team members at the start of the season.** Ages 8-14 What is FIRST LEGO® League? FIRST® LEGO® League is an international LEGO® program in which children work in teams to design, build and program a robot to complete missions. FLL challenges kids to think like scientists and engineers. Teams will build, test and program an autonomous robot using LEGO MINDSTORMS® to solve a set of missions in the Robot Game. They will also choose and solve a real-world question in the Project. Throughout their experience, teams will operate under FLL’s signature set of core values. For the FLL Basics see the link here: FLL Basics or check out this YouTube Video: What's FIRST LEGO® League? Quick Facts: Teams consist of 3-6 members. Teams meet 1-2 times each week Sept.-Dec. to work on their challenge. Teams will compete in a regional (VIRTUAL) tournament in late November through early Dec. Team meeting dates and times will be set according to the coaches' and participants' schedules once teams are formed. All required materials (robot kit, software, field setup kit) and tournament registrations are included in the course fee. Each participant will receive a FIRST® LEGO® League t-shirt. Minnetonka FLL Season Outline: Global FLL Challenge Released: August 1st Registration Deadline: Friday, September 10th Minnetonka Teams Released: Monday, September 13th Minnetonka Season Kick-Off: TBD. FLL Regional Tournaments: Mid-November - December. Dates not yet released. FLL Section Tournament (if advancing): Typically Mid-January FIRST LEGO® League FIRST LEGO® League Check out the FLL Blog! Parents: We need volunteer coaches. Please indicate your desire to coach on the registration form. We will provide you with all the materials you need, training, resources and support. Coaches Training Dates can be found here

Grades 7-8 What is FIRST Tech Challenge? Teams of students collaborate to build and program a robot that competes on a 12’ by 12’ field. Each year the challenge is designed to encourage students to think critically and expand their knowledge of the engineering process. FIRST® Tech Challenge in MN (MN FTC) is part of an international robotics program that includes more than 3,000 teams globally. What a team does..... The FTC challenge is released at the beginning of September and qualifying events will occur from November through January. Teams will typically meet two to three times per week, designing, building and programming their robot. Teams do not have a restrictive build season. Another aspect of FTC is the engineering notebook; a tool for teams to document their robot design iterations, programming changes, community outreach, team brainstorming sessions, and team meetings. Teams also participate in community outreach and connect with their engineering community. Outreach occurs in many ways, from starting other FIRST teams to demoing at the local library to volunteering in a school to demoing at a local company and an infinite number of other possibilities. This team-based, hands-on, competitive robotics program provides challenging and exciting learning opportunities for young people. It develops teamwork and leadership skills and promotes excitement in science and technology. Visit the FIRST website for more program details. Minnetonka FTC: Team meeting dates and times will be set according to the coaches' and participants' schedules once teams are formed. All required materials (Tetrix FTC set, control & communication set, electronic modules and sensors set, game elements) and tournament registrations are included in the course fee. Each participant will receive a FIRST Tech Challenge t-shirt. Minnetonka FTC Season Outline: Challenge Released & Kickoff: Date tbd - Typically early September at the U of M (more information can be found here) Registration Deadline: Friday, September 10 Minnetonka Teams Released: Monday, September 13 FTC Regional Tournaments: November - January (Exact dates will be released on this link: http://www.hightechkids.org/ftc-tournament-schedul...) FLL State Tournament: February (Exact date will be released on this link: http://www.hightechkids.org/ftc-tournament-schedul...) Parents: We need volunteer coaches. Please indicate your desire to coach on the registration form. We will provide you with all the materials you need, training, resources and support.

Have you thought about how a robot is built and programmed to perform to your command? How about operations of various machines like Kitchen Mixer, Blender, Drill Machine, Washing Machine and various others? Do you like designing, building, robotic programming, modifying, problem solving or just being CREATIVE? If so, join the internationally-acclaimed e2 Young Engineers ROBOTICS & STEM Learning Program where in every class, they teach you robotics & engineering concepts and challenge you to build a new motorized robotic and engineering models using patented building and programming kits from Europe. While building these models and programming their robots, students will develop logical thinking ability and learn scientific and engineering concepts like Kinetic/Potential Energy, Angular momentum, Inertia, Newton’s Laws, Symmetry/Asymmetry, Circular/Linear motion and various others.

Design, build, program, test and modify multiple robots using the LEGO® Mindstorms EV3 robotics system, then use your team’s robot to complete various challenges related to our animal friends. Build a robot to deliver animals to safety, put cows out to pasture, reunite separated panda bears and more. Our focus is on the FIRST® LEGO® League’s Animal Allies challenge. NOTE: This course is a fantastic primer if you are interested in gaining experience for the FIRST® LEGO® League annual robotics competition. LEGO® is a trademark of the LEGO® Group of companies which does not sponsor, authorize or endorse this site or program. FIRST® is also a trademark. FIRST® does not sponsor, authorize or endorse this site or program. Please bring a water bottle and nut free snack.

Build a computer bot to play head-to-head against other coders! Whether this is your first Code Championship event, or if you've been competing for years, this is the perfect way to explore the competitive world of Code Championship. Players will be broken into pools based on age for competitive and fair play. No previous coding experience necessary. Technology Requirements: This event will be hosted online using Google Meet and the Code Championship website. If you have a modern browser like Chrome or Firefox, no additional download is required. Please come knowing how to navigate the internet (basic typing and mouse control). The link to the Google Meet event will be emailed two days before the tournament.

Investigate the basics of structural engineering, wheels, axles, teamwork and creative thinking. Build a car with a launcher, a boat, a spinning top using gears, a dog and more. LEGO® Duplo blocks and regular sized LEGO® blocks are used in this course. LEGO® is a trademark of the LEGO® Group of companies which does not sponsor, authorize or endorse this site or program. Please bring a water bottle and nut free snack.

Explore chemical reactions in a fun, slimy way, creating all kinds of ooey gooey, sticky, bouncy, slimy mixtures. You’ll be challenged to solve fun engineering problems and so much more. Please bring a water bottle and nut free snack.

Explore flight like never before with this exhilarating, hands-on, coding drones camp. Master your piloting skills and engineer amazing aircraft designs to bring home, from gliders to propeller planes. Bring a LEGO® Minifigure for a surprise project. Please note that due to COVID19 coding drones might be substituted by piloting drones. LEGO® is a trademark of the LEGO Group of companies which does not sponsor, authorize or endorse this site or program. Please bring a water bottle and nut free snack.

Bring the world of Star Wars™ to life with your master builder skills and our intergalactic-structured activities in this STEM-based camp. You’ll learn to concentrate on mastering the Force, appreciating the use of teamwork to build battle drones and AT-Walkers, and if your skills are up to par, make your very own lightsaber to use in challenges! May the force be with you as the most competent Padawan’s rise through the Jedi ranks! Please bring a water bottle and nut free snack.

During this camp students will take a deep dive into programming with Scratch. The week will begin with writing fun shorter programs in order to learn about important skills and concepts within Scratch. During the final days of the camp, students will create their own Scratch program that incorporates original images from the surrounding environment, combining programming with the great outdoors. Is your child entering 6th - 8th grade and looking for a way to freshen up their Computer Science skills this summer? In conjunction with Tonka Codes, Minnetonka Community Education is offering two camps that are modeled off the 6th grade Computer Science Foundations class offered at MME & MMW. Students can choose to take one or both of the 4 day camps that will blend summer fun with Computer Science. Courses will be taught by Minnetonka Computer Science teachers.

Many recent innovations rely on the use of hardware devices in addition to backend programming. Using Micro:bit students participating in this camp will learn how code is used to make lights and sensors work. Students will use creative thinking along with their Micro:bit to create a working prototype for their very own innovative product. Students will love the hands-on focus of this camp. Is your child entering 6th - 8th grade and looking for a way to freshen up their Computer Science skills this summer? In conjunction with Tonka Codes, Minnetonka Community Education is offering two camps that are modeled off the 6th grade Computer Science Foundations class offered at MME & MMW. Students can choose to take one or both of the 4 day camps that will blend summer fun with Computer Science. Courses will be taught by Minnetonka Computer Science teachers.

Create fantastic movies with stop motion animation using LEGO® bricks. Work under guided instruction to make a digital movie using stop motion techniques. Teams will go through the entire movie making process, from plot and character planning to editing, sound and credits. You’ll get to take home your movie to show friends and family! Please bring a water bottle and nut free snack. LEGO® is a trademark of the LEGO Group of companies which does not sponsor, authorize or endorse this site or program.

We offer a unique learning environment designed to introduce girls to fundamental coding concepts in a collaborative and supportive environment. Create a game with unique backgrounds and characters as you learn the principles of game design and interactive storytelling. Please bring a water bottle and nut free snack.

Become the architect of three mini-game battle arenas! Build your own Spleef arena, capture the flag base, and king of the hill stadium, then challenge your friends! Battle it out in Spleef, plan your base in capture the flag, and have a snowball fight in king of the hill! Students will get a copy of the world map to take home and expand on. We will be using the PC/Java Edition of Minecraft. Please bring a water bottle and nut free snack.

Who lives in a pineapple under the sea? Let's visit our friends at the bottom of the ocean and learn about marine life! Explore saltwater density, learn about beach erosion, make sand slime, save the coral reef and more! Join us for a week of fun and adventure where everyone goes home an ocean lover! Please bring a water bottle and nut free snack.

This hands-on experience is a perfect introduction to concepts like structural engineering, architectural design, physics, external forces and much more! Move through advanced building exercises to learn the complexities of designing structures and investigate the impact of external forces. We are passionate about inspiring an interest in engineering! You’ll follow step-by-step builds in this camp, then test your new skills with open-ended building challenges and design projects. Please bring a water bottle and nut free snack.

Learn different video game and storytelling design techniques then use Scratch® to code your game. Write your own story and video game code, experiment with it, and test new options. Our collaborative learning environment encourages students to learn from each other. Students are able to keep their stories and video games online with Scratch® and can access it and expand upon it at any time. Scratch® is an MIT created and monitored, kid-safe web interface. It uses a drag and drop programming interface to teach students of all levels coding practices. Your child will receive a Scratch username and password so they can access their projects from any computer at any time. Please bring a water bottle and nut free snack.

Pack your bags and get ready to explore the world as you and your team race to solve fun STEM challenges inspired by different countries’ landmarks and engineering marvels. Which team will cross the finish line first to win the “grand prize”? Join us to find out! Reach the next pit stop as you solve fun problems, then receive the clue for the next challenge in a “different country.” Please bring a water bottle and nut free snack.