STEM Workshop
STEM Workshop 2026
Program Information:
Explore, investigate and experiment.
This six week series explores different branches of science, with hands-on experiments that are collaborative and fun.
Each week, students will learn about a scientific phenomena and investigate concepts of:
Week 1 – Investigation of Electricity in Foods
Everything on Earth stores and uses energy to stay alive. The ultimate source to this energy is the sun, for all living things. How do living things transfer energy?
Week 2 –Investigation of Matter
Students will explore different ideas of matter with small activities that are designed to think about what properties of matter are and how they behave…or don’t!
Week 3 – Investigation of Energy and Circuits
Students will learn that energy is evident whenever there is motion, electric current, sound, light or heat. Students will investigate how energy is transferred and conserved by using conductors and circuits, creating a series of light powered circuit boards.
Week 4 – Investigation of Simple Machines
Students will learn about all the types of simple machines and build a mini Rube Goldberg machine.
Week 5 – Investigate Magnets and Electromagnetism
Students will look at patterns, cause and effect of magnets. Magnets will be observed by experimenting with magnetic fields and force. Students will also build an electromagnet and test its strength. Students will look at reinventing a telegraph with magnets.
Week 6 – Investigation of Waves
What are waves? Students will look at the different types of waves and how engineers use them. Students will also look at how the human eye uses waves to refract light.
Throughout the six weeks, each session will include a short introduction about the investigation, background information and then experimenting.
Instructor: Charlotte Stutz
Charlotte Stutz has taught middle school life science, earth and physical science for 24 years. Charlotte holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Science and Outdoor Studies from Alaska Pacific University. She has worked as a park ranger naturalist for the South Carolina State Parks and traveled with National Geographic as an exploratory hiker in the Rocky Mountains. Charlotte has biked across the United States with the Outward Bound School and loves frisbee golf and crossword puzzles.
