Structural and Mechanical Engineering

This is a hands-on, project-based class where students learn how simple machines, structures, motion, force & energy, and sustainable systems work and are used in the real world. Children engage in hands-on, project-based engineering activities where they design, test, and build projects including a variety of towers, bridges, transport vehicles, wind and sail powered cars, and carnival games using magnetism. Students learn that success and confidence comes after making many mistakes, learning from those mistakes, persevering and moving forward. We have new challenges each session for returning Starfire Junior Engineers.

Class materials are provided.

Electrical Engineering

This is a hands-on, project-based class where kids learn how electricity works and how it is used in the real world. Students engage in project-based learning activities where they explore static electricity, voltage, resistance, circuits, batteries, conductors, insulators, and electromagnetism. Student projects may include bending water with static electricity, making a battery, building a flashlight, and making and testing parallel and series circuits. Other projects may include building an electric motor and making electromagnets, telegraphs, radios or electric toys. Advanced topics include an introduction to resistors, capacitors, transistors, breadboards, multimeters, and measuring electricity.

Class materials are provided.